Workshop 3: AI Tools: A Guided Tour | beneAI
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Workshop 3

AI Tools: A Guided Tour

AI Fundamentals Tools & Automation Hands-On Practice
90 minutes All levels In person or virtual
Session Description

From generative AI to predictive analytics to autonomous agents, the AI tool landscape is vast and evolving fast. This session is a hands-on guided tour through the major categories of AI tools available today.

Your team has probably heard of ChatGPT. Maybe a few people have tried Copilot, Midjourney, or one of the dozens of other tools that seem to launch every week. But the AI tool landscape is much broader than the headlines suggest, and knowing what exists is the first step toward using it well. This session walks your team through the major categories: generative text and image tools, data analysis platforms, workflow automation, predictive analytics, and emerging autonomous agents. Rather than just listing names, we show each category in action with live demonstrations tailored to the kind of work your organization does.

You will leave with a practical map of the AI tool ecosystem, a clearer sense of which categories are most relevant to your mission, and the confidence to start exploring on your own. No accounts to set up, no technical prerequisites: just a clear view of what is out there and how it works.

What We Cover

Topics Covered in this Session

Each topic includes live demonstrations and real-world examples. No jargon without context.

01
The AI Tool Landscape: Making Sense of the Categories

We start by organizing the chaos. From large language models to computer vision to workflow automation, we map out the major categories of AI tools and explain what each one actually does.

You will walk away with a mental framework for understanding any new tool that comes across your desk, not just the ones that exist today. The goal is pattern recognition, not product knowledge.

02
Generative AI: Text, Image, Audio, and Beyond

Generative AI is the category most people have heard of, but there is much more to it than chatbots. We demonstrate tools for writing, image creation, audio generation, and video, showing where each one shines and where the limitations are.

You will see firsthand what these tools can and cannot do, including where they are genuinely useful for mission-driven communications and where the outputs require careful human review before they go anywhere near your stakeholders.

03
Data Analysis and Predictive Tools

AI is not just about generating content. A growing set of tools helps organizations analyze data, spot patterns, and make predictions. We explore platforms that can help with donor forecasting, program impact analysis, and operational efficiency, all without requiring a data science background.

We also address an important caution: predictive tools can encode historical bias and produce outputs that look authoritative but reflect flawed assumptions. Understanding how to interrogate a prediction, not just act on it, is as important as knowing how to run one.

04
Workflow Automation and AI Agents

Some of the most practical AI tools are the ones that automate repetitive tasks: sorting emails, summarizing meetings, scheduling follow-ups, and connecting systems. We look at workflow automation platforms and the emerging category of AI agents that can handle multi-step tasks on your behalf.

These tools are moving fast and the capabilities are expanding quickly. We help your team understand what is reliable and ready to use today versus what is still maturing, so you can make informed decisions about where to experiment and where to wait.

05
Finding the Right Tools for Your Organization

More tools do not always mean better results. We close with a practical framework for evaluating AI tools against your organization's actual needs: cost, complexity, data privacy, and mission alignment.

You will leave with a checklist for assessing any tool and deciding whether it deserves a spot in your workflow. The framework is designed to hold up as the landscape changes, so your team can evaluate tools that do not exist yet using the same questions.

Session Details

Designed to Meet You Where You Are

Every session is interactive and tailored to your team's experience level and goals.

Duration

90 Minutes

Enough time to go deep without overwhelming. Includes live demos and Q&A throughout.

Delivery

In Person or Virtual

Available on-site in Colorado or via live video for remote teams anywhere.

Audience

No Prerequisites

Built for curious teams who want to understand the AI tool landscape. No technical background needed.

Who This Is For

Built for Your Team

This session is designed for anyone in a mission-driven organization who wants a clear, practical overview of the AI tools available today.

Executive directors and leadership teams
Program managers and coordinators
Development and fundraising staff
Communications and marketing teams
Operations and administrative staff
IT and data management staff