What task did Chat for Blackbaud AI help you with this week?
Being honest, I haven't really used it in the past couple months. I'm so familiar with my own way around the database, that it is more intuitive for me to construct a query or list for the exact donor criteria I need, and I just jump to the Resource Center if I need help finding a feature or a function.
That being said, I think this tool looks immensely useful for those less experienced in database work, such as front-line fundraisers and new personnel. In other software systems that I also use but don't know as well, like Constant Contact and Hubspot, I do use their AI chatbot frequently to pull up instructional guides and specific resource links. To that end, I've enabled Chat for Blackbaud AI in our RE system so that other users on our campus can potentially benefit from it.
I do not use AI. One, I don't trust it and I do not want to be instrumental in taking jobs away from people in the future.
We are onboarding two new gift officers. In their training, I showed them the feature and encouraged them to use it (while emphasizing the spot-checking since its still being rolled out). The first thing I showed them was the constituent summary (which the Chat AI generates on its own), adding actions (although it's quicker to do it yourself), and using it to help draft TY emails. When we asked for engagement strategies or suggestions, the answers it gave were pretty obvious to seasoned gift officers; but it col, but they would be good for entry-level gift officers.
I am still not sure about AI, but I have been trying to use it to polish thank you letters or emails to the donors.
I have mixed feelings about AI in general - the jury is still out. I have, however, used it to improve the verbiage in my acknowledgements letters - that seems pretty safe.
I'm going to intentionally try out three of the prompts that BB provided at the session a few weeks ago. Here are a few of my hesitations so far: 1) I'm so busy with everything else I don't have time to learn anything else new that isn't related to core functionality. 2) I'm aware that there will be the need to "train" the AI tool a bit. Again, lack of time and patience contributes to not investing in these tools. 3) As an expert in RE I know so many different ways to get the answers I need through native tools that there isn't an incentive for me to learn how to use the AI tools. It won't make "my" job easier - though I can see how it might help frontline fundraisers.
@Carlene Johnson Well said!! Great summary of my hesitations as well.
I was looking for something that had moved from Database view to NXT and could not find where it was in NXT. I thought why not ask AI Chat…low and behold it knew where it was and saved me time looking! I do however have many hesitations on using it, but this proved simple & easy. I am not sure on how else I would use it-maybe gift entry?
