AI on the Frontline of Social Impact: Microsoft and Infoxchange Partner to Upskill Staff with AI Skills
The partnership will provide a pathway for not-for-profits to upscale their AI capabilities.
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) upskilling initiative by not-for-profit social enterprise Infoxchange and supported by Microsoft has been launched today, providing not-for-profits (NFPs) with a pathway to upscale their AI capabilities and accelerate progress for society’s most complex challenges.
The program is the next stage of Infoxchange and Microsoft’s longstanding partnership supporting the NFP sector to leverage AI and improve technology capabilities for greater impact, expanding online resources available on Infoxchange’s Digital Transformation Hub.
NFPs and community services – which provide urgent support for rising societal challenges including homelessness, mental health and wellbeing concerns, disability services, disaster relief, climate change and more – are facing increasingly complex hurdles in delivering impact due to budget constraints and limited access to resources.
The use of AI in the sector has increased substantially over the last year thanks to Generative AI, with data from Infoxchange’s 2024 Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit Sector Report finding 76% of organisations are now using AI tools – a 52% increase from the year before.
However, NFPs face multiple barriers in utilising AI, including a lack of familiarity with AI and its use cases for NFPs, insufficient access to training for staff and volunteers and capacity to support the adoption of AI.
The program and partnership will address these challenges by helping NFPs amplify their impact, aiming to support 10,000 NFP staff across Australia and New Zealand with AI skills. The initiative will provide training and resources over the next 12 months through e-learning and expert-led webinars on the Digital Transformation Hub, and via tailored AI use cases and support.
“AI presents an enormous opportunity for the NFP sector, but many organisations lack the confidence and resources to use it effectively,” said David Spriggs, CEO of Infoxchange. “With Microsoft’s support, we’re ensuring NFPs can navigate AI’s opportunities and risks while unlocking new ways to create social impact.”
Microsoft emphasises its commitment to bridging the digital divide for NFPs. AI National Skills Director of Microsoft Philanthropies Tim Allen said, “Microsoft is delighted to provide continued support to Infoxchange in its exceptional work delivering technology for social justice. These new educational resources will enable NFPs to increase their impact using contemporary AI tools, improving outcomes for those most in need.
“With this announcement, we also take another step toward fulfilling our AI National Skills Initiative pledge to provide one million people across Australia and New Zealand with AI skills by 2026.”
With AI’s rapid evolution, NFPs can more easily navigate a practical, structured pathway to upskill staff, strengthen AI governance, and explore transformative AI applications.
Organisations are encouraged to enrol in the program today via subscribing to the newsletter for further updates. For more information, visit the Digital Learning Centre part of the Digital Transformation Hub.
Microsoft will also be joining Infoxchange at the 2025 Technology for Social Justice Conference from May 7-9, delivering workshops and demos on how to use AI for impact. Learn more about the conference here.
About Infoxchange:
Infoxchange is a not-for-profit social enterprise that has been delivering technology for social justice for 35 years. With over 140 staff across Australia and New Zealand, we tackle the biggest social challenges through the smart and creative use of technology.
We work with community, government and corporate partners to solve issues around homelessness, family violence, mental health and disability, as well as supporting First Nations communities, women, youth and families. Our products and services are used by over 38,000 government and community services. We provide the right tools to improve efficiency and deliver greater impact – from nation-wide service coordination systems to IT advice for individual organisations.
About Microsoft Philanthropy:
Microsoft Philanthropy is committed to empowering every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more. Through strategic partnerships, Microsoft works to support the not-for-profit sector in adopting technology that enhances social impact.