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AI for Impact at NYU
Preparing Leaders for Human-Centered Innovation
Welcome to AI for Impact at NYU SPS—where next-generation leaders harness the power of generative AI to fuel creative, ethical, and human-centered innovation. Designed and taught by globally recognized strategist Professor Liz Ngonzi, this showcase blends AI-powered storytelling and transformative learning.
Meet Professor Liz Ngonzi
Liz is founder and CEO of The International Social Impact Institute®, a board member and founding Ethics & Responsible AI Committee Chair at the American Society for AI, as well as an award-winning Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU SPS.
Over the last 15+ years, she has developed and taught courses on digital storytelling, emerging technology, and stakeholder engagement for professionals and leaders. In just the last 2.5 years, Liz has empowered over 10,000 professionals—leaders of nonprofits, companies, and change-making organizations—whose impact, in turn, reaches millions of stakeholders, beneficiaries, clients, and communities globally—fueling innovation, inclusion, and positive change at every level.
Amplifying Impact Through Storytelling
Begin your journey to amplifying impact, leadership, and authentic engagement in the world of AI.
At the heart of every career breakthrough, organizational transformation, and meaningful connection lies a timeless skill: storytelling. Whether you're seeking to advance your career, amplify your organization's mission, or drive authentic engagement, your ability to craft and share compelling narratives determines your impact.
But here's the insight that changes everything: AI doesn't replace human storytelling—it amplifies it. When you combine the timeless art of narrative with today's most powerful generative tools, you don't just tell better stories. You create exponential impact.
Liz's Unique Methodology
This is where the 1+1+AI=10™ Methodology and SHINE™ Storytelling Framework converge—turning individual creativity into organizational transformation, and personal growth into professional leadership.
Created by the Human + AI team at The International Social Impact Institute®, using Adobe Firefly, Canva Magic Studio and ChatGPT.
Part I: AI for Impact – Boost Your Marketability and Organizational Growth
Step inside our flagship, hands-on seminar: AI for Impact at NYU SPS, led by Professor Liz Ngonzi. Discover how proprietary frameworks—1+1+AI=10™ and the SHINE™ Storytelling Framework—demystify AI and empower professionals to create compelling digital stories, stakeholder campaigns, and high-impact strategies. Experience how generative AI tools, live demos, and real participant voices converge through our NotebookLM podcast, illustrating the magic of AI-driven learning, ethics, and creativity.
This very Gamma site—and the hero image of this site—is itself an AI-powered digital storytelling showcase. Built and visualized using generative tools, every section models the principles and creativity at the heart of our course.
Below, explore three more case studies in AI-powered storytelling from the program, each highlighting a distinct format and collaborative, ethical practice:
This short video, produced with GoogleVids and an AI avatar, is a live illustration of AI-powered communication. It models the use of new media tools that the AI for Impact course explores—delivering ethical, human-centered messages in a vibrant, accessible format.
This AI-powered podcast episode was designed to inspire and inform, using natural language AI to capture the heart and strategy of the AI for Impact course. It showcases how digital audio can spark engagement and empower learners worldwide to step into ethical, creative leadership.
Created collaboratively by the latest cohort, this Udio anthem transforms real student ideas into a visually striking narrative—turning doubt into data, and fear into light. It is a hands-on demonstration of how generative AI and cross-disciplinary teamwork produce powerful, value-driven stories.
This interactive study used AskHumans, a conversational AI platform, to capture students’ real-time reflections on integrating AI into professional storytelling and leadership. AI analyzed and grouped feedback into key themes—such as ethics, creativity, and human collaboration—shaping how the course models values-driven, human-centered digital innovation.
Explore the Key Themes from Our Conversational AI Study
Digital Storytelling
Master frameworks that amplify human creativity through AI-powered narrative techniques.
Experience how today’s most advanced AI tools empower authentic storytelling for purposeful impact.
Stakeholder Engagement
Build meaningful connections using ethical AI for authentic communication.
Learn to harness generative tools to deepen engagement and foster trust with your audience.
Organizational Growth
Create practical, AI-driven campaigns, strategies, and prototypes that drive measurable impact across any sector.
Leave with the skills and examples to grow your organization and career.
Student Success & Impact
90% of participants rated the AI for Impact course as highly relevant and impactful for their professional development.
"A meaningful and energizing class—I left inspired to apply AI ethically and responsibly."
"A game changer. I walked away with tools I could immediately apply to my professional practice."
"The frameworks helped me think differently about storytelling. AI became less intimidating and more empowering."
Student Project Showcase
Real Impact, Real Solutions: Explore six practical AI solutions designed and prototyped by the Summer 2025 cohort during a single-day intensive. These projects demonstrate how participants leverage ethical frameworks and generative AI tools to create high-impact, human-centered innovations that solve real-world problems.
A multimedia STEM campaign with original videos and song to inspire underrepresented youth in science and technology.
An AI-powered chatbot for campus safety officers featuring mental health resources and incident reporting.
A cultural competency AI tool for cross-cultural communication in organizations.
An AI integration proposal for private-sector operations and employee engagement.
An AI-assisted app for children with unique language processing needs.
An AI-enhanced meal planning tool for busy families.
Part II: AI for Impact – Advanced Lab
Building and Applying Custom AI Agents
Launching in March 2026, this hands-on lab invites professionals to design, build, and refine their own AI agents—digital collaborators trained to reflect each user’s voice, values, and goals. Through guided labs, peer feedback, and ethical frameworks, the course goes beyond tool use to empower meaningful transformation.
Design Personas
Create AI collaborators aligned with professional purpose and personal values.
Build Prototypes
Develop functional agents in ChatGPT and Google AI with custom documents and guardrails.
Refine Through Testing
Iterate using role-play scenarios, peer feedback, and real-world applications.
Apply Ethical Frameworks
Ensure responsible, transparent adoption that safeguards human dignity.
Showcase Collaborators
Present AI prototypes in a supportive learning environment with expert feedback.
LizNgonzi GPT ∞
Liz Ngonzi GPT ∞ is a digital twin that embodies 25+ years of thought leadership and lived experience in human-centered innovation, digital storytelling, and social impact. Built to amplify ethical strategy and practical insight, the agent delivers guidance, resources, and inspiration for changemakers and organizations worldwide.
Links:
AI for Humanity Chapter Coach GPT and Anthology GPT
AI for Humanity Anthology GPT
An AI-powered digital storytelling tool supporting the creation of the AI for Humanity Anthology for ASFAI. This agent assists authors, editors, and contributors in crafting collaborative, ethical, and human-centered anthology chapters with the 1+1+AI=10™ Methodology and SHINE™ Storytelling Framework.
Chapter Coach GPT
A dedicated agent guiding ethical AI product development for ASFAI and global teams. Chapter Coach GPT helps product leaders and teams integrate human feedback, equity, and principled design through every stage, leveraging the 1+1+AI=10™ Methodology, SHINE Storytelling Framework, and custom frameworks for responsible, socially responsive solutions.
The ISII GPT: Powering Our Human + AI Team
Learn how The International Social Impact Institute® blends human brilliance with the efficiency of AI through The ISII GPT and its Human + AI Team.
At The ISII, our “1+1+AI=10” Methodology turns collaboration into co-creation—with agents that reflect personal purpose and drive exponential impact.
These are the kinds of practical prototypes Part II is designed to deliver—AI collaborators that extend human capacity while safeguarding core values and professional integrity.
Who This Is For
Nonprofit & Philanthropy Professionals
Gain AI tools to optimize fundraising, enhance service delivery, and drive measurable social impact with ethical consideration.
Business Leaders & Senior Executives
Develop AI strategies that foster innovation, competitive advantage, and responsible governance within your organization.
Healthcare & Education Professionals
Apply custom AI agents to improve personalized learning, streamline administrative tasks, and enhance patient/student outcomes.
Hospitality & Event Management
Leverage AI for personalized guest experiences, dynamic pricing, and efficient operations management in a rapidly evolving industry.
Students & Emerging Professionals
Future-proof your career by mastering the integration of ethical AI, positioning yourself as an indispensable, forward-thinking talent.
As Liz wrote in the American Society for AI's forthcoming anthology AI for Humanity, the question isn't just whether we'll use AI—it's how we design systems that amplify human capacity and position leaders for the future.
The AI for Impact series is NYU's contribution to that future. By combining technical fluency with ethical grounding, these courses prepare professionals not just to keep pace with change, but to shape it—leading organizational transformation and advancing their careers responsibly, inclusively, and creatively.
Harnessing Adobe Firefly, AskHumans, Canva Magic Studio, ChatGPT, Gamma.app, Google Vids, NoteBook LM, Otter.ai, Perplexity, and Udio.com