As Manager and Strategic Lead for Maranatha Community Projects NPC, the participant operates at the intersection of social development and NGO leadership. With a focus on gender-based violence (GBV), youth development, and community-led change, their role encompasses high-level strategy, program design, and organisational growth. Already an advanced AI user and advocate, they are simultaneously pursuing a BSc in AI in Business, positioning themselves at the forefront of AI-driven social innovation.

Pre-Elevate AI Capability

Before joining Microsoft Elevate, the participant had already integrated AI into their daily work. They leveraged Large Language Models (LLMs) to streamline administrative tasks, draft technical grant proposals, and design curriculum for the “Changemakers” program. Data-driven AI tools were also employed to analyze community demographics and measure program impact.

However, the challenge remained: moving from individual productivity gains to organisation-wide AI adoption. Key gaps included enterprise-level data security, ethical deployment frameworks, and governance structures tailored to the sensitive nature of community development.

Advancing AI Leadership Through Microsoft Elevate

Recognizing the need to bridge academic theory with industry practice, the participant chose Microsoft Elevate to gain structured frameworks for strategic AI leadership. The program’s emphasis on Responsible AI principles and Copilot extensibility proved transformative. These advanced concepts provided a roadmap for building custom, secure workflows that extend beyond basic prompting.

The program sharpened their ability to advise other NGO leaders, shifting the focus toward AI literacy infrastructure and ethical considerations around data privacy, which is critical in the social sector.

Strategic Application

Post-Elevate, the participant initiated an audit of internal data handling and reporting systems, aligning them with security standards emphasized in the program. They also spearheaded the development of an AI Ethics & Usage Policy, ensuring that adoption remains human-centric and socially responsible.

Equipped with new frameworks, they are now better positioned to manage risks such as algorithmic bias and data sovereignty, safeguarding vulnerable populations whose information is central to NGO work.

Organisational Impact

The integration of Elevate learnings has already yielded measurable outcomes:

• Productivity: Complex reports and project summaries are now streamlined through AI.

• Innovation: AI is being explored for impact reporting and localized resource distribution.

• Decision-making: AI-assisted analysis synthesizes community feedback, enabling more responsive program adjustments.

• AI Adoption Culture: The team has shifted from uncertainty to competence, embracing AI as a strategic partner.

A tangible example is the redesign of the “Changemakers” workshops. By analyzing large sets of community feedback with AI, recurring themes in youth development needs were identified faster than manual methods allowed. This led to workshops that were more relevant and impactful for participants.

Evolution as an AI Advocate

The participant’s role has evolved from power user to strategic architect. Their focus now lies in building organisational environments where AI can be deployed safely and effectively to drive social change. They actively mentor youth in AI literacy, preparing them for future careers and digital citizenship.

Future Direction

The next stage of maturity involves full ethical integration of AI into the project management lifecycle. Predictive analysis will be used to anticipate community needs, while operational efficiency will be optimized through AI-driven workflows. Microsoft Elevate continues to serve as a framework for continuous learning, ensuring expertise remains aligned with industry shifts.

By Peter Blankenberg

Learner Baseline (Before Elevate)

The participant entered Microsoft Elevate as a Co-Ordinator at a nonprofit Organisation (NPO). With no prior exposure to AI beyond curiosity, their initial perception was that AI was unnecessary. Despite this skepticism, they approached the program with excitement and self-rated their confidence in using digital tools as very high. Their main challenge was finding ways AI could meaningfully support their role and organisational responsibilities.

Entry Point Into AI

Motivated by curiosity and a desire to learn, the participant joined Microsoft Elevate. Their first real exposure came through Copilot, automation, and prompting techniques. The breakthrough moment, their “aha”, was realizing the power of prompting, which unlocked new possibilities for efficiency and creativity in everyday tasks.

Learning Experience During the Programme

The most valuable sessions were those that introduced practical tools and concepts, with demos proving to be the most effective learning format. While long video content posed a time challenge, the pursuit of a certificate provided motivation to push through. This persistence allowed them to fully engage with the program and build confidence in applying AI.

Practical Application

Post-Elevate, the participant began using Copilot to generate emails, a task they previously handled manually. They also ventured into tools they would not have attempted before, such as Microsoft Teams, expanding their digital collaboration capabilities.

Behaviour & Mindset Shift

The program sparked a significant mindset shift. AI transitioned from being seen as unnecessary to being embraced as a partner. The participant gained confidence, became more willing to experiment, and began advocating for AI adoption among colleagues. This advocacy extended to promoting the Elevate courses themselves, encouraging peers to explore AI.

Organisational Impact

AI has reshaped collaboration within the NPO. The participant now shares knowledge internally, improving team confidence and competence. Decision-making, productivity, and innovation have all benefited. A clear example is the ability to schedule meetings and share workloads via OneDrive, streamlining operations and reducing administrative burdens.

Future Direction

Looking ahead, the participant plans to study further for a career change, building on their newfound AI literacy. They are ready to tackle skills such as setting up virtual meetings and have expressed a strong interest in pursuing advanced learning opportunities to deepen their expertise.

Nicholas Xaba

Occasional AI Use to Daily Productivity Transformation

Background

The learner works in skills development as an administrator, where tasks often involve planning, content creation, and coordinating ideas into structured outputs. Prior to joining the Microsoft Elevate programme, their use of AI was occasional and largely limited to basic content creation, idea generation, and simple planning tasks.

The Challenge Before Elevate

While the learner had already begun exploring AI tools, their experience was limited by a lack of deeper understanding. They found it challenging to:

• Navigate AI systems effectively
• Provide clear instructions to get accurate, useful outputs
• Use AI in a structured, strategic way

As a result, AI remained a helpful but inconsistent tool rather than an integrated part of their workflow.

Motivation to Learn

The learner joined Microsoft Elevate with a clear goal:

To use AI more strategically in their work, spending less time planning tasks and more time executing them efficiently.

Learning Experience

A key strength of the programme was its balance between theory and practical application. The learner highlighted that:

• The theoretical components provided important context on how AI works
• The practical sessions demonstrated exactly how to apply that knowledge in real scenarios
• Live examples and screen sharing made it easier to move from understanding to action

One major mindset shift came from learning that AI requires clear, detailed input to produce meaningful results.

Skills and Mindset Transformation

Through the programme, the learner significantly expanded their capabilities:

• Gained the ability to apply AI across multiple platforms
• Developed a stronger understanding of prompting and structuring inputs
• Shifted perspective to see AI as a core productivity tool, not just an occasional helper

They noted a key realization:

AI became something I rely on for enhanced efficiency.

Real-World Application

One of the most impactful changes was in planning and idea processing, which improved significantly.

Results included:

• Time Saved: Tasks became much more time-efficient
• Quality: Outputs improved in clarity and structure
• Confidence: Increased confidence in the quality of their work

Behaviour Change

After completing the programme:

• AI use shifted from occasional to daily
• AI became an integral part of their workflow
• The learner actively shared knowledge with colleagues, including:
  • Programme resources
  • Practical tips and techniques

Impact and Value

The learner experienced clear and measurable benefits:

• Increased productivity
• Higher quality outputs
• More creative and strategic thinking
• Streamlined workflows

They emphasized that Microsoft Elevate enabled them to work more effectively by thinking more strategically and executing faster.

Kayla Kistesamy, Skills Development Intern OrtSA

Embracing Digital Transformation: ECD Centres Urged to Adopt AI and Technology

At an AI Readiness Training session hosted by Phambano Technology Development Centre NPC, in partnership with Molo Mhlaba School on Friday, March 27, educators in Harare were encouraged to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet, and cybersecurity.

The session highlighted the potential of these technologies to create job opportunities, improve access to funding, drive sustainable development, and facilitate more efficient communication, including virtual meetings.

Phambano Technology Development Centre NPC founder, Arnold Netshambidi, said the training was specifically designed for organisations like ECD centres to help them discover how AI and digital tools can strengthen programmes, boost efficiency, and amplify their impact within communities.

Mr Netshambidi emphasised that traditional approaches to education are increasingly being challenged by artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancements.

He noted that future job markets will require young people to equip themselves with digital skills to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

He added that technological innovation is transforming both business and society as a whole, with more people relying on digital devices to access services at any time.

“Many of our organisations lack online visibility, including presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. It is important for organisations to establish an online presence so that, for example, if a family relocates to the area, they can easily find ECD centres. Online visibility is also crucial for attracting funding, as these centres need to be seen globally,” he said.

He further highlighted that once organisations are online, they gain global visibility. However, a lack of digital skills continues to affect many ECD centres.

Read more here

Phiri Cawe from Vukani News