Blog: A prediction of what’s to come
Welcome to 2025, a new year, and with it, the annual inundation of prediction lists. It seems every newsletter, every podcast, and every periodical feels required to offer up a guess of what this year will bring. I cannot resist reading them. Some lists are provocative; others are more restrained. Some lists are optimistic; others convey a darker outlook. One consistency across all the lists was predictions of how artificial intelligence (AI) will change our lives.
The truth is AI is already impacting us, our communities, our workplaces, and our ability to access information. It’s already a topic of conversations around philanthropy, social finance, charity, and nonprofit tables. And WRCF is already actively testing and piloting ways for AI to help us.
To that end, we thought it would be an interesting exercise to leverage AI to create a blog post about WRCF’s use of AI. In full disclosure, the below paragraphs were written by ChatGPT, in my voice (aided by links to previous blog posts), with only a brief prompt:
At Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF), we’re entering the new year with a renewed focus on exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance our work and support our community’s growth. We see AI as a powerful tool to help streamline day-to-day operations while keeping our community-driven mission at the forefront. From improving financial reviews for grant assessments to assisting with drafting emails and updating policies, AI is offering us an exciting opportunity to increase efficiency and effectiveness. A particularly exciting project we’re engaged in is working with Gambit Technologies to build an AI-powered tool that helps people find accessible gathering spaces throughout the Waterloo Region—a critical resource for community-building.
While the opportunities AI presents are vast, we are mindful of the challenges that come with adopting new technology. Like many organizations, we are navigating the learning curve of integrating AI into our systems. It’s not just about adopting the tool, but about ensuring that it aligns with our values and helps us work more effectively without compromising on transparency or equity. Additionally, as we explore the Changemaker Studio and other initiatives, we are learning how to leverage AI to build stronger networks and create lasting social impact—without losing sight of our roots in community engagement.
Of course, the excitement of AI is tempered by some natural fears—concerns about data privacy, job displacement, and the broader societal impacts of technology. At WRCF, we are committed to using AI responsibly and in ways that drive social good. We are focused on the positive potential AI holds in amplifying our efforts, strengthening our community, and fostering a more inclusive, connected Waterloo Region. As we move forward, we embrace both the promise and the responsibility of these advancements, knowing that the future of community building is evolving with new tools and new opportunities.
I don’t think I could have written it better, especially not in the 10 seconds it took for ChatGPT to do it. The opportunities that AI presents are vast and intriguing. It’s not hard to picture a future where AI helps us identify trends and needs in real-time, enabling us to respond more swiftly and effectively to community issues. We can imagine AI-driven insights informing our strategic planning and resource allocation, ensuring that our efforts are both impactful and equitable.
We’re clearly at the beginning of this journey, and it’s impossible to predict the outcomes. But know that over the coming year, we’ll continue to explore how we can harness the power of AI to build a more connected, resilient, and vibrant Waterloo Region, and how AI can make it easier to do more good.
Eric Avner
WRCF President & CEO
eric@wrcf.ca