Decoded Futures Announces New Cohort with 22 Nonprofits in Education and Workforce Development

Decoded Futures, a Tech:NYC Foundation initiative backed by Robin Hood and Google.org, launched its second cohort aimed at empowering nonprofits in the education and workforce development sector with AI tools. 

Over the next two months, 22 NYC-based nonprofits 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 and give them AI agency. 

This second cohort builds on the initial success of the first Decoded Futures program, which showed both the specific challenges and opportunities for nonprofits — as well as helping them build solutions — when it came to incorporating AI into their work. Many nonprofits don’t know how to identify problems that AI could solve, and they don’t know where to start. AI experts focus on teaching AI fluency so that nonprofits can first identify” (ie, problems that AI can help solve) and then build the tools that will help them do more with less.    

Decoded Futures launched in June 2024 to bridge the gap between nonprofits and the fast-changing world of AI. There are over 46,000 nonprofits in New York City and collectively they ensure that New York can fulfill its potential as the greatest city in the country. A 2023 Robin Hood survey found that 85% of nonprofits wanted to learn more about AI, but less than 15% had ever engaged in any AI-related learning or activity. In order to help nonprofits meet this demand and secure New York City’s position as a leading AI hub, nonprofits must be connected to AI experts. 

At the end of the first cohort in December, Decoded Futures released a landscape research report identifying the barriers and opportunities for nonprofits’ use of AI. They found that AI has transformative potential, but nonprofits still face challenges in understanding potential use cases. In order to understand AI and gain “AI agency,” nonprofits need hands-on experience and there needs to be a bridge between the tech and nonprofit sectors, which Decoded Futures is building. 

The second cohort of trailblazing nonprofits looking to use AI to scale their impact include:

• America on Tech

• Berkeley College

• Borough of Manhattan Community College

• City College of New York - Office of Institutional Advancement, Communications and External Relations

• EdTrust-New York

• EL Education

• First Tech Fund, Inc

• Generation Citizen

• Green City Force

• Henry Street Settlement

• Laguardia Community College- Office of Credit for Prior Learning

• LeveragED Foundation

• Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation

• Prep for Prep 

• Sponsors for Educational Opportunity

• StreetWise Partners

• Student Leadership Network

• Teach For America

• The City University of New York

• The Fortune Society

• The Reading Institute 

• YMCA of Greater New York

Quotable:

“The excitement around the second Decoded Futures cohort demonstrates AI’s growing potential to drive meaningful change for public good. Ensuring that the nonprofit sector benefits from new technologies is core to our DNA at Tech:NYC,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “We’re eager to implement the lessons we learned in the first cohort to help these new nonprofits foster innovation and create even more impactful solutions to some of our city’s biggest challenges.” 

“New York City nonprofits are doing incredible work, but often lack the time and resources required to understand and implement AI solutions. We’re solving this problem by connecting them with the tools, training, and support they need to succeed,” said Bryan Lozano, Director of the Tech:NYC Foundation. “By connecting AI experts and nonprofits, both groups can share their expertise, and build a strong ecosystem where AI helps nonprofits make an even bigger difference in our city.”  

"At Decoded Futures, we believe AI should be an accessible and empowering tool for all nonprofits working to create meaningful change,” said Jenni Warren, Program Director, Decoded Futures. “This second cohort harnesses the potential of AI to drive impact, and we’re excited to equip mission-driven organizations with the skills and confidence to integrate AI into their work to scale their impact and better serve their communities. By bridging the gap between the tech and nonprofit sectors, we’re building a future where AI supports social good at scale."

“The Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund is proud to support Decoded Futures as they help nonprofits incorporate the transformative potential of AI. This second Decoded Futures cohort is pushing boundaries and developing solutions to some of our city's most pressing problems,” said Amber Oliver, Managing Director of the Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund. “Investing in this program means investing in a future where technology and social good go hand-in-hand, leading to a better future for all New Yorkers."

“Google is committed to ensuring that the benefits of AI reach every borough of New York Cityby empowering nonprofits with the skills needed to use AI for impact,” said Sarah Henderson, Senior Manager, Google.org. “We’re excited to see the new AI use cases that this second cohort of nonprofits are able to imagine and utilize thanks to the training that Decoded Futures provides.”  

Want to get involved in Decoded Futures? Reach out to Jenni Warren, Program Director, at jenni@technyc.org.