NGO Soul + Strategy

040. Can NGOs Stay Human-Centered while Embracing Smart Tech? Beth Kanter and Allison Fine

13 Jun 2022

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SummaryThe new generation of 'smart technology' - chatbots, AI, machine learning, natural language processing, robots etc. can bring major benefits to nonprofits - if they can discern what they need to do to remain human-centered in their choice of technology. And if they remain aware of the potential for bias in AI-generated data, given its profound potential negative impact?What can nonprofits – who are frequently not digital natives, let alone coders themselves – do to protect themselves against these?In this episode, we discuss the timely new book by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine: 'The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World'.Beth’s Bio:Nonprofit and foundation-focused trainer and independent consultantVirtual facilitatorA nonprofit innovator in digital transformation and workplace well beingAuthorAdjunct Professor at the Monterrey Institute of International StudiesAllison’s Bio:Principal consultant at Allison Fine ConsultingFounder/CEO of Network of Elected WomenSenior fellow at Demos, at the Wagner School at New York UniversityFounder and Executive Director at Innovation NetworkAuthor of multiple books on (digital) networking, social media and the nonprofit sector We discuss: Tech is more available and more cheaply available than ever; that actually increases its dangersSmart tech can eliminate ‘grunt work’ done by many nonprofit frontlines, operations, and fundraising staff, and create a ‘dividend’ of time, which can be more strategically spent on frontline interaction with clients, evaluation and learning, horizon scanning etc.Smart tech can reduce the need for ‘astroturf campaigning’, in which nonprofits transactionally engage with their ‘members’ on a superficial basis; instead, it allows them to engage more deeply in getting to know new donorsSmart tech is used in the form of bots, for instance, to engage with people in the public who need services– but we have to do so very carefully How leaders need to be ‘digitally literate’ and not leave these decisions with regard to adoption of new 'smart technologies' up to the Chief Technology OfficerHow nonprofits need to remain overall reflective in adopting smart tech Quotes“This book is not technical to me”“Leading through resistance in organizations is among others about doing away with outmoded ideas that only people can do nonprofit tasks” Resources:Beth’s LinkedInBeth’s website Allison’s LinkedInAllison’s websiteHarvard Business Review article: How Smart Tech is Transforming NonprofitsAmazon link to book - The smart nonprofit: staying human-centered in an automated world: here Online course on Virtual Team Leadership skillsYoutube video of this podcastClick here to

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13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

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12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

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2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

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NGO Soul + Strategy

040. Can NGOs Stay Human-Centered while Embracing Smart Tech? Beth Kanter and Allison Fine

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

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