Understanding AI: Programs, Power, and Global Perspectives

In today’s digital landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a powerful force, intersecting profoundly with global power structures and socio-political dynamics. This Masterclass series developed by RNW Media and hosted by Partos, aims to support social change agents (NGOs, CSOs, social enterprises) to enhance their understanding of AI technologies, ethics, opportunities, applicability and governance.

Our first open session aims to demystify AI for those involved in the INGO and CSO sectors by focusing on its fundamentals, implications, and practical uses.

We will explore the umbrella term Artificial Intelligence, and its related concepts Machine Learning and Deep Learning by going through the key ideas of machine thinking: data, input, output, rules, predictions, learning, stakeholders and values.

We’ll touch on AI’s practical applications like prompt patterns for different areas of our work and reflect on what (can) be AI for Good, which voices are part of the conversation in the current landscape and what can be strategic ways of interacting with technology.

Featuring the “Civil Society Manifesto for Ethical AI” by Forus we invite you to join the conversation around ethical uses of AI and contribute to visions of a fairer and more sustainable world.

Key elements of the session

• • 🤖AI fundamentals: What it is, its history, and how it has evolved.
  • 🧠Types of AI: Gain insights into Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), along with their relevance to the work of NGOs.
  • 🛠️AI Mechanics: A comprehensive overview of machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and Natural Language Processing (NLP), focusing on practical implementations.
  • 💡GPT and Prompt Engineering: Understand the nuances of GPT prompting and the strategies for effective prompt engineering.
  • 💬Engaging with Forus: A conversation on the “Civil Society Manifesto,” discussing the ethical dimensions of AI usage.

About the learning series

Our series, comprised by five online masterclasses of 2 hours, offers an intuitive access to the world of AI. Every last Tuesday of the Month, from May onwards, we will explore fundamental notions needed to make informed decisions, reflect about the socio-technological aspects of AI in relation to justice, social change, and provide practical tips to improve the effectiveness of our interventions.

Stay tuned for upcoming Sessions of this Series:

• • Session 2: Using AI: data, data, and more data; What can AI do for us*?
  • Session 3: AI & Communication: Human & Hope based approach
  • Session 4: AI Ethics: ecosystems of responsibility
  • Session 5: Regulating AI: Navigating global AI regulatory landscape and NGO compliance

This first session is free. The rest of the masterclass series is paid.