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mallory kramer    Professional development & community impact  ●  Back to work  ⤑

The Challenge



With tech evolving so quickly, how do I stay ahead of the game and keep leveling up my skills? And how can I use what I know to make a real difference in my community at the same time?

The Solution



I devised a comprehensive research strategy focused on the nuances of Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring foundational principles, ethical considerations, and practical applications. To supplement my learning, I participated in AI-focused panels, symposiums, and conferences spanning multiple continents. In parallel, I harnessed my growing expertise to spearhead tech-driven transformations across three NYC housing shelters, enhancing their capabilities to more effectively serve our community.

The Impact



My ongoing collaboration with my initial shelter partner resulted in a dramatic 80% decrease in physical storage, 60% faster document retrieval, and a 30% cut in client intake time. Through the introduction of targeted data strategies, we saw a 20% QOQ surge in donor funding. I also led workshops on responsible LLM usage across three shelters, equipping staff with the tools and confidence to engage donors strategically and effectively.

Introduction


As a community-minded individual, I always prioritized lending a hand where I could—offering my time in local soup kitchens, animal rescues like Galgos del Sol, and with sustainability-focused organizations like FABSCRAP. But it was introspection during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic (an experience shared by many) that ushered in a profound awakening for me. I wanted to do more for my community, and I realized that there was tremendous value in exploring the intersection of my skills and my community’s needs.

My motivation gained momentum when I aligned my yearning to make an impact with my growing fascination with artificial intelligence (AI). My interest in AI had been steadily increasing since mid-2018, when I read an article about the potential of collaborative intelligence in Harvard Business Review. OpenAI’s release of GPT-3 in July 2020 was another pivotal moment, opening my eyes to the versatility of Generative AI and the profound impact it could have across various sectors. I realized that AI was not only a tool for automation and optimization, but also a source of creativity and innovation. It was through this lens that I started to see a sabbatical as both an opportunity to expand my knowledge, skills, and network in the field of AI, as well as creating time and space for me to leverage my skillset to make a meaningful impact in my community.


Navigating the AI Landscape

Research and Foundations

With prior experience developing AI and ML-powered products, I started my journey with a strong foundation. I developed a research syllabus that spanned six core themes, carefully chosen to explore a blend of theoretical knowledge, ethical considerations, and tangible applications.

I began with the "AI for Everyone" course by Deeplearning.ai, further deepening my understanding with foundational pieces such as Alan Turing's "Computing Machinery and Intelligence". This stage was instrumental in grounding me in the essential technical aspects of AI. Building upon this base, I delved into the intricate dynamics of human-technology interactions. Sherry Turkle's insights became pivotal in this phase - her extensive research on the subject, especially in how people form emotional bonds with machines, provided a nuanced perspective on the evolving relationship between humans and AI.

I then shifted my focus to critical AI perspectives, absorbing insights from trailblazers like Meredith Broussard and Kate Crawford. This phase was crucial, enabling me to juxtapose AI's vast potential against its societal challenges and implications. Ethics and Bias courses from UC Santa Cruz and Lund University shed light on the intricate ethical landscapes of AI, expanding my perspective of responsible and empathetic AI creation and application. These insights, paired with the invaluable community and resources I found with All Tech Is Human, painted a comprehensive picture, guiding me toward a more holistic and responsible approach to AI.
 

Areas of Research

Bridging Theory and Practice

The urge to go beyond the theoretical and dive into the dynamic world of AI was a constant source of energy throughout my sabbatical. I siezed opportunities to participate in symposiums and conferences such as The AI Summit London, The Dubai Future Forum, and the Responsible Tech Summit. These events were more than just learning opportunities; they were melting pots of ideas, insights, and actionable dialogues with industry experts, thought leaders, and policy makers. I gained unparalleled perspectives on the transformative power of AI across sectors. 

Real-world Impact Through Collaboration

From day one of my sabbatical, I collaborated with GCN SSC, a local emergency housing shelter where I had previously volunteered. I conducted in-depth interviews with the staff, analyzed their workflows, and acquainted myself with the sector's benchmarks and best practices. A standout observation was the shelter's significant reliance on physical documentation, affecting almost all their operational workflows. Our initial project focused on digitizing their predominantly paper-based operations, transitioning to a cloud-based document management system. This not only streamlined their processes but also significantly reduced their environmental impact.


Recognizing the power of data in driving informed decisions, I then introduced the administrative staff to the world of data analytics. Implementing Google Data Studio became a pivotal move, enabling them to strategically segment their donor data to craft more focused and impactful donation requests. We built out simple formulas and calculations in Sheets to quantify the impact and outcomes of their programs, making it effortless for them to include concrete and compelling data in their donor outreach.

My next aim was to discover (ethical and responsible) ways for the staff to employ Large Language Models (LLMs) to resolve existing workflow challenges and pain points. I led exploratory workshops for the administrative staff, providing guidance around safe usage and privacy considerations. Through these sessions, the staff were equipped with the confidence and skills to alleviate the burden of tasks such as newsletter drafting, donor engagement, and crafting social media content. By promoting LLMs as a collaborator—not a substitute—for human intuition and creativity, we struck a balance between human touch and efficiency. The palpable impact and success of these workshops echoed beyond GCN SSC, leading to collaborations with two additional NYC shelters within their network, highlighting the expansive potential of integrating AI in meaningful, transformative ways.

Result

The transformation at GCN SSC was profound. We achieved a 30% reduction in client intake times, an 80% decrease in physical storage needs, and a 60% improvement in document retrieval times. These operational enhancements led to a 20% quarter-over-quarter increase in donor funding, amounting to nearly half a million dollars in additional resources to support the community.

The success of our initiatives at GCN SSC inspired further collaborations with two more NYC shelters, spreading the benefits of AI integration and responsible technology use across the community. 

© 2024 Mallory Kramer.   are.na  |  LinkedIn