About this Event
Curious about AI but not sure where to start?
Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday working life, but for many charities and social enterprises the big question is:
How can we actually use it in a way that is useful, practical and appropriate for our organisation?
We’re inviting social enterprises and charities to join us for an accessible Introduction to AI workshop designed specifically for the sector.
Join Work West and CiviCode for a down-to-earth, hands-on workshop developed specifically for social enterprises, charities and community organisations across Belfast. The workshop will be delivered as part of the Belfast City Council 'Go Social' Programme and is fully funded.
This session is for people who may have heard about tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, or perhaps experimented with them, but would like a clearer understanding of what AI can realistically do.
We’ll explore how AI can support everyday tasks such as developing ideas, creating content, researching topics, summarising information, preparing documents and reducing some of the time spent on routine administration.
Just as importantly, we’ll consider where AI shouldn’t be relied upon and some of the issues organisations need to think about around accuracy, confidentiality, data protection and responsible use.
This session is for you if you:
- are curious about AI but don’t know where to begin;
- have tried AI but aren't sure you're getting much value from it;
- want practical examples relevant to charities and social enterprises;
- want to understand both the opportunities and the limitations; or
- simply want to feel more confident about the conversations happening around AI.
Whether you're a manager, staff member, trustee or volunteer, the aim is to provide a friendly and practical introduction that helps you decide where AI could genuinely add value to your organisation.
Come along, ask questions, see AI in action and leave with a clearer idea of how you might start using it in your own work.
What We Will Cover
In just 90 minutes, we will demystify AI and give you actionable tools you can use the very same day:
- Demystifying the Tools: What Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot actually are, how they work, and why they are pattern-matching assistants—not magic brains.
- The "LLM Trap" & Data Boundaries: Why using free AI like a private text message can lead to serious data protection breaches, and how to set up simple, safe guardrails for your team.
- Mastering the COSTAR Framework: Learn how to write clear, structured commands that banish generic "robotic" corporate text and preserve your organisation’s unique community voice.
- Practical VCSE Workflows: How to safely use AI to summarise dense meeting notes, draft job descriptions, translate complex reports into accessible social media copy, and streamline daily administration.
- The "Human-in-the-Loop" Mandate: Why human oversight is non-negotiable, how to spot "hallucinations" (made-up facts), and how to avoid algorithmic bias in community settings.
Local Case Study
During the session, we will look at a case study from Hope for Life NI on how their organisation successfully built and deployed a custom AI workflow to streamline board governance and administrative tasks—proving what is possible for local groups regardless of technical background.
What You Will Take Away
- Confidence & Clarity: A clear understanding of which AI tools suit your organisation and how to use them safely without violating UK GDPR
- The CiviCode AI Prompt & Framework Cheat Sheet: Reusable prompt templates designed specifically for community administration, HR, and communications.
- Access to 1-to-1 Mentoring: Every attendee will gain access to follow-up 1-to-1 mentoring sessions through the Work West Go Social mentor pool to help you draft your internal AI policies or build tailored AI workflows for your specific team.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for a wide range of technical capacities:
- Social Enterprise Founders & Directors
- Charity CEOs, Trustees & Senior Managers
- Operational Leads, HR Managers, & Project Officers
- Anyone in the VCSE sector feeling overwhelmed by administrative burden and looking for safe ways to save time.
No technical knowledge or previous AI experience is required.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Skainos Centre, 239 Newtownards Road, Belfast, United Kingdom
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