Free Course: AI and Automation for Increased Efficiency

Want to experiment with AI and Automation with digital experts? 

We have an exciting opportunity for Welsh Third Sector Organisations to join us on a design challenge to explore how AI and Automation can help your organisation save time.

We’ll support you to research, test and evaluate how these time saving tools could benefit you.

​

Aims

• ​Provide participants with the knowledge and skills to implement digital solutions by following a user-centred, agile approach.
• ​To inspire them to take advantage of digital approaches to save time and maximise social impact. 

​Learning outcomes

​​During the course, participants will

• ​​​Get the opportunity to solve a real-life challenge your organisation is facing
• ​​​Dedicate time and space to test out new ways of working
• ​​​Learn new things about your organisational challenges and needs
• ​​​Receive mentoring and guidance from digital experts
• ​​​Learn how to implement digital tools effectively by following the Service Design process 
• ​​​Experiment with new digital tools
• ​Gain access to resources

We encourage two people per organisation attend the course (although this is not essential). Each person needs to register individually.

Course structure

​Over the eight weeks, there are only three dates you need free in your calendar.

Discovery Phase

1. Introduction Webinar: 1st October, 2 pm - 5 pm [ONLINE]

The course takes place over 8 weeks, beginning with a half day webinar where you’ll be introduced to the service design methodology, what the process looks like and how to better understand your digital needs.

You’ll have four weeks to complete a piece of discovery research focused on understanding where you could be saving time. We recommend you allow 2-3 hours per week to complete this research.

2. Prototyping Workshop:

• 30th October, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, Carmarthen [IN-PERSON]

Or 

• 31st October, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, Cardiff [IN-PERSON]

During this face-face interactive workshop, you will be guided through activities to define an area of focus and explore ways AI and automation could help you save time. You’ll create a plan of how you are going to test your time saving idea and gather results.

We have planned two prototyping workshops to suit your needs. You only need to attend one of the prototyping workshops, it is up to you which day suits you and what area is easier for you to travel to. Each session will be exactly the same, just in different locations. 

We will reimburse travel. Please contact lucyp@promo.cymru to arrange this after the prototyping workshop.

Develop phase

You’ll have four weeks to test your solution and gather results.

3. Closing session: 5th December, 10 am - 12 pm, [ONLINE]

At the end of the 8 weeks, you’ll attend a closing webinar where you’ll feedback on your project and what you’ve learnt. It’s also an opportunity to learn from the experiences of other organisations on the course.

Self-study tasks

​In between, you’ll be guided through a series of activities that you can complete on your own time.

​We recommend that you allow 2-3 hours a week for the course.

​Mentor meetings with trainers

​You’ll also have two (or more if you like) mentor meetings with the trainers to catch up on how you're doing and to support you with your project.

Who is this course for?

​This course is for Third Sector Organisations based in or delivering a service in Wales.

​​​We encourage two people per organisation to attend the course (although this is not essential). Each person needs to register individually.

This course is aimed at organisations at the start of their AI journey. You don’t need any prior experience of using AI, but one person in your team will need basic digital skills.

Organisations taking part in the course will also be eligible to apply for the Newid Small Grants Scheme launching in October. You will be able to apply for grants between £500 - £3000 to help you progress digital within your organisation..