;)
How can AI help social enterprises? An interview with Wouter van Haaften
In the fast-changing technological landscape, AI has taken the world by storm. Generative AI is among the most transformative AI technologies. It is revolutionising how companies operate, from creating social media content to solving complex problems. For social enterprises, which often operate with limited resources, AI offers a unique opportunity to amplify impact and efficiency in unprecedented ways.
Before his AI workshop for the SEWF community, we spoke to Wouter van Haaften, founder of Generative AI Solutions. In this interview, he shares how generative AI can help social enterprises achieve their missions. Wouter highlights AI’s potential to help organisations streamline operations. He also addresses the challenges of adopting AI and practical steps to integrate it into everyday workflows.
Can you tell us more about yourself and your company?
I’m an entrepreneur in the field of generative AI. I have a background in strategy consultancy, having worked for a McKinsey spin-off that focused on digital strategy. After witnessing the enormous potential of generative AI first-hand, I founded my own boutique consultancy firm to help organisations harness this transformative technology. It’s incredible to see how generative AI will reshape industries and I believe it holds immense potential for helping social enterprises fulfil their missions more efficiently.
What is generative AI and how can it benefit social enterprises?
Generative AI refers to AI models that have been trained on vast amounts of unstructured data—around 20% of the internet, for example—allowing them to learn patterns and gain knowledge about the world. They understand everything from marketing to social impact, environmental issues and more. Essentially, they have the capability to create, whether that’s text, audio, or video content.
In a social enterprise context, generative AI can act as a super-effective assistant. With it, you can automate tasks like content creation, drafting briefs, or generating impact reports. This allows you to focus more on advancing your core mission while AI helps streamline repetitive tasks. The combination of human and AI collaboration could revolutionise the way social enterprises operate, making them more efficient and impactful.
What challenges do social enterprises face in implementing AI in their work?
One of the biggest challenges in adopting AI is education. Many people still see AI as something difficult, expensive, or out of reach. However, during this workshop, you’ll see that it’s actually quite accessible and easy to implement. While there is some cost involved—around 50 to 100 dollars—you don’t need vast resources to get started. Once you’ve identified the areas where AI can make an impact, the process becomes straightforward. It’s not just about learning what generative AI is, but also realising how simple it is to integrate it into your daily operations.
How can participants start using generative AI immediately after the workshop?
The beauty of generative AI is its immediate applicability. After the workshop, you’ll be able to start using AI tools the very next day in your day-to-day work, whether that’s writing emails, generating reports, or handling sales tasks. Like me, you’ll find that AI helps you become a more efficient and effective entrepreneur or employee. It’s all about using AI to lighten your load so that you can focus on what really matters—making an impact.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Join us on 26 February 2025 at 07:00 UTC as Wouter dives deeper into Generative AI in Practice: Real-life Prompt Exercises for Social Enterprises.
What to expect:
- Hands-on AI exercises tailored for social enterprises
- Practical use cases to enhance efficiency
📅 Date: 26 February
⏰ Time: 07:00 – 09:00 UTC
💻 Where: Online
