Helping small charities and communities grow their AI skills

We talk to Zoë Colosimo, COO at Neighbourly, an organisation connecting businesses and communities for social good. Zoë tells us about Neighbourly’s fantastic Ai123 campaign supporting small charities and communities to understand the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) and grow their AI skills.

1. For any charities who haven’t come across Neighbourly before, can you tell us more about it?

At Neighbourly, we’re all about connecting businesses with local good causes to unlock positive impact in communities across the UK and Ireland. Our platform enables companies to give time, funding, surplus products and more to thousands of local charities, food banks, schools and community groups.

What makes us unique is our focus on hyperlocal giving – ensuring that support reaches the grassroots causes that are closest to people’s hearts and homes. Everything we do is underpinned by transparency, trust and measurable impact. Over the years, we’ve seen first-hand how much good can happen when businesses and communities work in harmony – and it’s this belief that drives campaigns like Ai123.

2. What is your Ai123 campaign?

Ai123 is a campaign we’re incredibly proud of, launched in partnership with Microsoft. It’s designed to support small charities, community groups and communities more widely in getting to grips with the basics of AI and growing their AI skills – and to help ensure they’re not left behind as technology evolves.

We know that AI is transforming everything – from how we work to how we deliver services. But there’s a very real risk that smaller charities, who often don’t have dedicated IT teams or digital budgets, could miss out on the benefits. Ai123 is all about changing that.

Through a ‘train-the-trainer’ model, we’re giving individuals the tools and confidence to understand and use AI and then pass that knowledge on to others. It’s a ripple effect that we hope will bridge the digital divide and create a more inclusive tech future.

3. How can charities get involved?

It’s really easy to take part. We’ve created a free one-hour webinar that’s designed to slot into busy schedules – no tech background needed. It covers all the basics, from what AI actually is, to how it can be used in everyday charity work (and life!). There’s also an opportunity to receive this support 1-2-1 through connecting with a volunteer.

Alongside the webinar, we’ve also launched an online resource hub, packed with downloadable materials, practical examples and guidance for those who want to go a bit deeper or share what they’ve learned with their teams or networks.

All we ask is that participants make a simple pledge to pass on their knowledge. That way, we can track the impact and reach of the campaign, and see how many people are gaining confidence in this space.

4. What have you learned from the campaign so far?

One of the biggest things we’ve learned is just how much appetite there is for this kind of support. Charities want to understand AI and develop their AI skills – not just out of curiosity, but because they recognise its potential to make them more effective and resilient.

We’ve also learned that many small charities just need a bit of demystification. There’s a lot of noise around AI and it can feel overwhelming. But once we break it down into plain language and real-world examples, people feel empowered rather than intimidated.

Another powerful insight has been around the role of community in digital learning. The train-the-trainer model is working well because it taps into existing relationships and trust. People are more likely to engage when they hear about AI from someone they know, in a context that’s relevant to their day-to-day.

5. How do you think charities’ use of AI might evolve over the next year?

I think we’re going to see a shift from curiosity to experimentation. Right now, many charities are still in the ‘learning phase’, figuring out what AI actually is and how it might apply to them. But over the next year, I expect more of them will start building their AI skills and dipping their toes in – using AI tools to streamline admin, create content, analyse data or improve service delivery.

Importantly, I believe we’ll also see more conversations around the ethical use of AI – particularly in terms of data privacy, bias and inclusivity. That’s where trusted support networks and campaigns like Ai123 will be so vital – giving charities a safe space to learn, explore and make informed decisions.

Ultimately, our goal is to help ensure that no one gets left behind in this next chapter of digital progress. AI has huge potential, but only if it’s accessible, inclusive and aligned with the values that matter most in the charity sector.