A.I. is a Tool NOT a Substitute

By Kevin Smyrl, Associate Partner, Alexander Haas

Are you tired of hearing about AI and how it’s going to change literally everything that we do every day? I certainly am.

I’ve always considered myself somewhat of an early adopter when it comes to technology. I’ve had Palm Pilots, Blackberrys, iPhones, iPads, Kindles, etc., all within the first iteration or two being released. I’ve also either adopted or tried to adopt any number of software products to help with productivity…think Evernote, OneNote, Outlook, MS Project, and many, many productivity programs, philosophies, and systems.

Now, social media is something I never got into. I realize the reach of social media is unmatched, but I’m half a century old now, so the worlds of Facespace, SnapSlap, InstaPic, Tick Tack, and others will not miss me, and I certainly don’t feel I need them. Amazingly, these devices, apps, and programs all have a couple of things in common. First, they are TOOLS. These tools can no doubt be very effective in helping us do our work as fundraisers and non-profit leaders. Second, not even one of these tools DOES THE WORK FOR US. It still takes a human being to set up and use the tool in the best possible way to work properly.

Enter Artificial Intelligence. Suddenly, this can do the work for us. A.I. can tell us when to call our donors, when to follow up after a conversation, and what specifically to ask the donor about based on our prior conversations—all without prompting from a human. It can write your emails, social media posts and even script phone calls. Among many other things, it can even write this column if I get a little lazy.

THIS IS HUGE!!!

As the world grapples with AI and how it will change virtually everything we do in our collective work, I believe it is still just a tool—an amazing, efficient, perhaps life-changing tool—that we must embrace and learn to deploy strategically. It might even help one write a column for a newsletter when one has trouble getting started (although not in this case…honestly).

Our work, the work of connecting donors and volunteers to organizations and causes they are passionate about, is at its core a business about people, human beings. Our work has always been, is today, and forever will be a relationship business. You’ve no doubt heard this many times, but it cannot be overstated.

I’ve seen some thank you notes written by A.I. and I’ve received some notes clearly written by a robot.  “Danger Will Robinson” (showing my age again). There is no replacement for that handwritten note or personal email to say thank you for your gift. No replacement for that phone call and invitation to lunch. And certainly, there is no replacement for that face-to-face meeting to learn more about those who support your cause and physically see their reaction to new ideas and priorities.

Most of us still cherish that phone call from a friend or colleague. We read the personal notes we receive. We still write on paper. We cash the paper checks mom sends on our birthday. I’m willing to bet many of us still read paper books; I do (again, my age?). In the end, it’s the IMPACT that really matters. The impact your organization has on humanity and the impact a donor or volunteer has on your organization.

I’m not hating Artificial Intelligence; we should embrace it and its many possibilities. Let the tool help you establish a communication cadence with your constituents, help you through a moment of writer’s block, or prompt you to send that email checking in on your top donor or volunteer. Just remember, A.I. can’t deliver impact. Stay in charge of the relationship, human to human. If we don’t, then I fear Sky Net will become self-aware (circa 1984).