The solution to AI overwhelm
The Solution to AI Overwhelm
Are you, like me, overwhelmed by the flood of new AI tools? While an increasing number of artificial intelligence applications promise to simplify our daily lives, are they truly helpful - or just adding to our overwhelm? Instead of randomly testing countless tools, it's worth focusing on your actual challenges: What's currently consuming too much of your time? Which tasks and opportunities are being neglected because they're too resource-intensive? And how can AI agents help us address these questions?
While everyone's still talking about AI, few have managed to implement it in a way that genuinely transforms their daily operations. The problem? Often, people try to force technology or an endless array of tools onto existing processes. For those who disagree and think they need more tools, the website "There is an AI for that" offers hundreds of new AI tools to explore each month.
However, instead of immediately searching for new tools, start with your specific challenges and consider how technology can create targeted solutions. Two key questions can help: What current tasks are consuming too much time? And what would you like to do but can't due to resource constraints? The answers often reveal prime candidates for technological solutions, helping identify priority areas where technology can truly add value to your daily operations. Why not take 10 minutes to consider these questions?
What are "AI Agents"?
Once you've identified your key tasks, you can evaluate technologies more effectively. The current development of AI agents is particularly exciting because it might eliminate the need to search and evaluate countless tools while maximising results (I'm writing this from San Francisco, where dozens of events are currently focusing on this topic).
A brief look back: Humans began developing tools early on, from simple stone implements to modern software. Tools help us achieve results more easily. However, today there are so many tools that it's nearly impossible to evaluate, test, learn, and decide which ones truly add value. The challenge isn't finding new tools anymore - it's finding technology that can help us utilize these tools effectively to achieve results. This is where agents come in. They're like good employees: you set a goal, and they work independently to achieve it without requiring step-by-step instructions.
Tool = Means to an End; Agent = Results
An example? Online fundraising aimed at generating new donors: It's technically possible to deploy an agent that continuously stays informed about current topics, analyses the organisation's website and social media channels, and independently decides what content appeals to potential donors. The agent creates ads, selectively chooses target groups, and conducts A/B tests to direct traffic to better-performing versions. It even generates landing pages and personalised donor journeys automatically. The human role? Setting goals, establishing checkpoints for content approval, providing feedback, or rejection - maintaining full control without tedious, repetitive work.
What do I need...?
...after answering my two questions, knowing which challenges I want to solve, and wanting agents to work for me to achieve my results?
Leadership buy-in and a shared vision within the organisation. Why? Because this goes far beyond optimising individual work steps. Agents fundamentally change how we use technology. It takes courage to embrace this transformation, as it means more work and new questions in the short term. However, the goal is a world where we can communicate with thousands of donors as if in personal conversations. A world where we know exactly where every fundraising dollar is best spent. The result? An almost fully automated donation system that allows us to focus on what's essential - maximising impact and maintaining donor trust. Because ultimately, maximising impact is what we owe to all our donors!
At the International Fundraising Congress 2024, I heard an interesting statement regarding the ethical evaluation of using AI technology in fundraising to increase effectiveness. The slightly provocative statement was: "If AI helps achieve a greater positive impact, it's unethical not to use it." Food for thought!
Guest article from 21. November 2024 at Fundraising Verband Austria
