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We've been building charity AI since 2022 and delivering AI training course since 2023. We provide free, accessible AI training courses for everyone, from board level teams through to junior staff and volunteers. And from people who need to understand it but don't use it through to practitioners who need in-depth AI training - by also promoting free AI courses by trusted organisations, including Microsoft (see below) and our Microsoft technology partners, such as Exquitech, Qlic IT and Total Enterprise Solutions, as well as Biomni.
We deliver regular free AI training courses to our community and also networks, groups of charities and small infrastructure charities, such as CVSs. Get in contact - ian@charityexcellence.co.uk. We've made these available on our You Tube Channel AI Play List. To date (May 25), these have been watched more than 10,000 times.
However, there is huge need, so we are launching a new initiative, by building on our existing expertise to significantly expand and upgrade our AI training. We plan to launch a full online AI learning programme that requires no prior expertise and which will give anyone the confidence and skills to not only benefit but also keep themselves, others and their organisations safe. We will also allow others to join us and/or use our work to very significantly scale access.
Online Learning Programme Structure
Responding to Need. The course programme provides an easy to access breadth of learning to meet the needs of everyone to ensure your charity uses AI effectively and safely. For individuals who wish to acquire AI skills for their CV, it provides a range of certificated training. You can start knowing nothing and progress as far as you wish to, using our courses as stepping stones to all the other free training we connect to.
AI for Everyone. Each of the modules below takes about 45 mins but will be delivered in short units you can take at any time and at your own pace. Each has resources you can use to build on your learning, plus tasks, demo videos, quizzes and certificates to demonstrate your competence. Once the initial programme is live, we will work with our expert partners to create new course modules to build out our initial work for everyone and make training available in more technical areas for those who might want that.
Building Your AI Expertise. You will be able to choose different module options to complete courses. These will give you the confidence and skills to progress to more advanced AI learning, if you wish to - each module links you to a selection of other relevant free AI training courses produced by expert organisations, such as Microsoft, the ICO and NCSC. These enable you to either widen your AI learning into new areas and/or progress to more advanced, certificated learning if you wish to.
Start Your AI Journey Now. To begin or continue your charity's AI journey visit our AI Ready programme and, for all of our free AI services, guides, toolkits and training courses, visit our charity AI page. To access all of our services and resources, including funding directories, register now; everything is free.
Responding to Need - Rapidly Scaling Course Delivery
The UK non profit sector comprises nearly 0.5m organisations, with about 1 million staff and 14 million volunteers. There is huge need so we will use our social franchising model to allow other organisations to use our learning content and systems.
Firstly, we will allow our technology partners and others to create additional modules and pathways to expand our existing training courses into new areas. Secondly, larger external organisations will be allowed to use our work, adapt it to meet their specific needs and brand it as their own, to enable them to upskill everyone in their communities. We hope that will include basic training for those at most risk, such as the young and old, and those who struggle with digital or have learning difficulties.
Those who franchise with us will have to agree to maintain our content and learning standards, and meet any costs in creating or modifying our learning materials, but the purpose of social franchising is scaling rapidly and widely to help as many as possible. It's not about making money.
Programme Content. We plan to initially launch the following training courses.
Launch Date
We hope to launch the initial training programme in October 2025. Large organisations that may wish to explore social franchising are welcome to get in contact at any time - ian@charityexcellence.co.uk.
AI Fluency. Foundational AI concepts, history, and real-world applications. Includes modules on generative AI, responsible AI, and Microsoft Copilot. Tailored for beginners and non-technical users
Explore AI Basics. Duration: 11 units. Discover the world of AI by exploring its foundational concepts and history. Learn how AI technology powers everyday items and transforms daily life.
Fundamentals of Generative AI. Duration: 1 hr 13 min (11 units). Explore how language models enable AI to generate original content based on natural language input. Learn how generative AI assists in creative tasks.
Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot. Duration about 27 minutes. Copilot’s purpose, functionality, and Microsoft’s commitment to responsible AI.
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Edit and Transform Content with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Duration: 31 min (8 units). Craft effective prompts to edit, transform, and rewrite information using Copilot in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
Ask Questions and Analyse Content with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Duration: 38 min (9 units). Prompt Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook to ask, analyse, and receive recommendations for fresh ideas and content.
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Responsible AI: Ethical Policies and Practices. Offers guidance on how to implement governance structures for AI within organisations. Includes tools like the Responsible AI Dashboard and Human-AI Experience Workbook. Ideal for trustees setting strategic direction and oversight.
Describe the basic concepts of cybersecurity. A beginner-friendly module introducing online safety, threats, and best practices. Perfect for quick awareness training for staff and volunteers.
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They also have a Cybersecurity skills hub.
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A registered charity ourselves, the CEF works for any non profit, not just charities.
Plus, 60+ policies, 8 online health checks and the huge resource base.
Quick, simple and very effective.
Find Funding, Free Help & Resources - Everything Is Free.
