Decoded Futures’ New Pilot: Driving AI Innovation in NYC’s Nonprofit Sector

Decoded Futures’ inaugural cohort of 22 education and workforce development nonprofits will work with AI experts at New York tech firms to expand the use of AI to the nonprofit sector.

This week, Decoded Futures, a new initiative by the Tech:NYC Foundation backed by the Robin Hood Foundation and Google.org, launched a pilot program aimed at empowering nonprofits in NYC’s education and workforce development sectors with AI tools. Over the next three months, the first cohort of 22 nonprofits focused on education or workforce development, will participate in hands-on training sessions, expert-led workshops and peer learning opportunities led by AI experts from New York tech companies all geared toward helping nonprofits incorporate AI into their operations.

Decoded Futures was launched in June 2024 to bridge the gap between nonprofits and the fast-changing world of AI.

• A 2023 Robin Hood survey found that 85% of nonprofits were interested in learning about AI, but less than 15% have ever engaged in any AI-related learning or activity, and only 10% of nonprofits had the in-house capacity. 

With this pilot, Decoded Futures begins the work to help close that gap, with the first cohort of trailblazing nonprofits committed to integrating AI in their operations:

• Basta

• Black Girls Code

• Center for Education Market Dynamics

• COOP Careers

• Educators For Excellence

• Emerging Leaders in Technology and Engineering, Inc

• Genesys Works NYC

• Grand Street Settlement

• Literacy Academy Collective

• Mouse

• NAF

• New Visions for Public Schools

• New York Charter Schools Association

• New York Public Library - Career Services Office

• NY Sun Works

• NYC FIRST

• Prospanica

• Student Achievement Partners

• Teaching Matters, Inc.

• Tech Kids Unlimited

• The Knowledge House

• Urban Arts

Since the launch, the Decoded Futures team has conducted a landscape analysis to identify gaps in the nonprofit sector where AI could help advance their social service missions. We recently discussed some of our initial key findings, which will be covered in the Decoded Futures report later this year. AI has transformative potential for nonprofits, but nonprofits still face foundational challenges like understanding its use and overcoming fears. Additionally, building AI fluency requires time, leadership support is critical for successful adoption, and organizations learn best through hands-on experience.

The first cohort of the Decoded Futures Pilot Program will get the time, leadership support, and hands on experience to put AI to work for their nonprofits, starting with their first session Monday with NYC-based AI experts.  

During the workshop, the Decoded Futures team surveyed nonprofits in the room to better target what they find most exciting and challenging about AI adoption. We found that the vast majority of these attendees are looking for ways to use AI to improve efficiencies and their organization through productivity gains. Other exciting possibilities include using AI as an ideation partner and also teaching AI skills directly to students and educators.

Some of the biggest challenges to AI adoption at these — and many — nonprofits include not knowing how to get started, concerns about overcoming institutional inertia to drive adoption, and questions around how to establish guardrails to mitigate bias and use AI responsibly. In the weeks ahead, all cohort participants will learn how to apply best practices from expert technologists in all of these areas.

“A key part of Tech:NYC’s mission is to help New York City-based tech companies expand their social impact work. As AI becomes an increasingly large part of our lives, tech companies can, and must, lead the way in integrating this tech into the nonprofit sector,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “By fostering these connections, we unlock innovative solutions that help address the city’s most pressing challenges, from poverty to education.”

“Through Decoded Futures, nonprofits are harnessing the power of technology to advance their missions, with a focus on solutions that drive meaningful impact,” said Amber Oliver, Managing Director of the Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund. “By investing in this initiative, we’re empowering nonprofits in NYC to leverage AI in responsible and transformative ways, enabling data-driven innovations that scale their efforts and create lasting change in the communities we serve.”

“Equipping nonprofits with the tools to understand, approach, and adopt AI will have a multiplier effect in serving their constituents and our communities,” said Sarah Henderson, Program Manager, Tech Education for Google NYC. “As Google continues to drive safe and responsible innovation in AI, we are proud to work with Tech:NYC, Decoded Futures, and Robin Hood to ensure that all New Yorkers benefit.”

If you work at a tech company and would like to get involved in Decoded Futures, email Bethany Crystal, Program Director, at bethany@technyc.org.

Thank you to our partners at the Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund and Google.org.