AI readiness and adoption

This course guides participants through the cultural, structural, and strategic foundations required for responsible, values-aligned AI adoption. Through an exploration of adaptive culture, psychological safety, staff readiness, data governance, and cross-departmental collaboration, participants will learn how to prepare their organizations for an AI-enabled future.

Using a clear four-phase roadmap, this course helps learners identify where their organization currently falls on the AI readiness spectrum and what steps are needed to progress. Participants will also examine common mindset traps and practice reframing them into constructive, actionable conversations with leadership and peers.

By the end of the course, learners will have a practical understanding of how to align AI with mission, equity, community benefit, stakeholder trust, and responsible governance.

Learning objectives

Gap analysis

Evaluate current strengths and gaps using an AI readiness framework and identify your organization’s stage of adoption.

Cultivating an AI culture

Understand how culture, trust, and staff mindset influence AI adoption and how to cultivate cross-departmental engagement.

Pilot development

Design low-risk pilots, establish guardrails, address mindset traps, and communicate clearly with leadership and stakeholders.

Curriculum outline

Why culture comes first: psychological safety, adaptive culture, and mindset
Understanding AI readiness: mission alignment, community benefit, and the five dimensions
Common mindset traps and how to reframe them for leadership and staff
Four levers of culture change: AI ambassadors, feedback loops, organizational scaffolding
The four-phase roadmap for AI adoption (foundational → policy → integration → sector leadership)
Tools for ethical AI practice: readiness assessments, ethical checklists, and transparent disclosure

Anticipated time to complete

NTEN courses typically require about 60 minutes of video content to complete, while optional content varies by course.

Course details

Members $60

Non-members $120

Earn a Professional Certificate and save 40% on course registrations.

Meet the presenter

Rachel Kimber

Pronouns: She, Her

Managing Director

Full Circle Impact Solutions

Rachel M. Kimber, MPA, MS, is a speaker, technology futurist, and nonprofit executive. As Managing Director and Co-Founder of Full Circle Impact Solutions, she champions human-centered, data-informed, and technology-supported grantmaking. Rachel advances nonprofit practices promoting equity, access, inclusion, and innovation. She has served on local nonprofit boards and within international NGOs, global philanthropies, and family foundations. Collaborating with organizations like NTEN, PEAK Grantmaking, TAG, GEO, Northern California Grantmakers, and Philanthropy New York, Rachel builds knowledge-sharing ecosystems. Her work spans conservation, global health, social justice, performing arts, and humanities grantmaking, always seeking creative stakeholder engagement.

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Professional certificates

Boost your career by earning a professional certificate that builds your skills and demonstrates your nonprofit tech know-how.Learn about certificates

Scholarships

If finances are tight, apply for a scholarship for an NTEN course or professional certificate. Availability limited.Learn about scholarships

NTEN is creating a world where missions and movements are successful through the skillful and equitable use of technology.

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