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AI and Impact Work: A Double-Edged Sword

As we navigate 2025, I find myself constantly asking: Does AI truly make impact work easier? The answer isn't straightforward-it's both yes and no.

Efficiency vs. Overwhelm: Finding Balance

AI promises to free us from mundane tasks, allowing more time for meaningful work. Yet many changemakers I connect with through PCDN.global report feeling more overwhelmed than ever. The constant pressure to learn new tools, adapt workflows, and keep pace with AI advancements creates its own mental load.

The efficiency gains are real, but so is the digital fatigue. Many of us find ourselves trapped in an endless cycle of tool adoption without pausing to assess what truly enhances our impact.

That said, the right AI tools have been transformative for our team's productivity. I estimate we save at least 10 hours per week on designing content, creating presentations, and producing our podcast. This freed-up time allows us to engage in deeper work-the strategic thinking, relationship building, and complex problem-solving that truly drives impact.

The Irreplaceable Human Element

In Medellín, where I now live, I've witnessed firsthand how the most effective social change happens through human connection-something AI simply cannot replicate. While algorithms excel at data analysis, they struggle with the nuanced understanding of community needs, cultural contexts, and emotional intelligence that drive meaningful impact.

The most successful organizations I've worked with use AI to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. They leverage technology to handle routine tasks while focusing human energy on relationship-building, creative problem-solving, and compassionate engagement.

Tools That Actually Help

Several AI tools have genuinely transformed how we work at PCDN:

• Beehiiv has revolutionized our newsletter process, making it dramatically easier to share opportunities and insights with our global community of changemakers. affiliate link

• Wave.Video has simplified our livestreaming capabilities, allowing us to connect with social entrepreneurs worldwide without technical headaches. link

• Marky.ai helps us plan social media content strategically, ensuring our message reaches those who need it most. affiliate link

• Castmagic transforms our interviews and discussions into multiple content formats, extending the reach of valuable conversations. link

• Butter makes virtual meetings more engaging and productive. affiliate link

• Gamma helps create beautiful presentations with AI assistance. affiliate link

• Perplexity AI has become our favorite research tool, offering access to multiple AI models for deeper insights. link

Note: If you sign up using our affiliate links for Beehiiv, Marky, Butter, or Gamma, PCDN receives a percentage of the revenue, which directly supports our work in connecting changemakers worldwide.

When AI Becomes a Barrier: A Personal Story

About two years ago I experienced the dark side of AI dependence while trying to resolve an issue with Mercado Libre. The AI chatbot blocked my communication about a problematic order, and I found myself in a frustrating loop.

Despite multiple attempts to explain my situation, the AI remained inflexible, programmed to follow rigid protocols rather than understand my specific problem.

I'm now permanently banned with no recourse as the AI labelled my purchase as risky (what happened is I used a $25 gift card and somehow the system labeled that as something that should lead to a banning)- a small but telling example of how efficiency-focused AI can create digital dead ends for users.

The Darker Side of AI Efficiency

My personal experience pales in comparison to more troubling applications. The US government has deployed AI systems to track social media activity of foreign nationals, including students, resulting in visa revocations and deportations for those expressing certain political views about Gaza. Secretary Rubio's "Catch and Revoke" program has already affected hundreds of people based on AI-flagged social media posts.

According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, this program has revoked over 1,600 student visas as of late April 2025, with AI tools scanning social media accounts for "pro-Hamas sentiment," "antisemitic activity," or even just "conduct that bears a hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture." link

Similarly, Israel's military deployment of the "Gospel" AI system in Gaza has raised serious humanitarian concerns about algorithmic targeting decisions with life-or-death consequences. As reported by +972 Magazine in their groundbreaking investigation, AI programs like "The Gospel" and "Lavender" have dramatically accelerated the pace of airstrikes, with one intelligence officer noting that what previously took a team of 20 officers around 250 days to identify 200-250 targets, AI now accomplishes in a week. link

These examples highlight how AI efficiency, when unchecked by human oversight and ethical guardrails, can amplify existing power imbalances and lead to serious human rights concerns.

Finding the Right Balance

The future of impact work isn't about choosing between AI and human approaches-it's about thoughtful integration. The most effective changemakers I know approach AI with intentionality, asking not just "Can AI do this?" but "Should AI do this?"

What's your experience with AI in impact work? Has it lightened your load or added new complexities? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to respond to this message with your questions, favorite tools, resources or fill out the super quick survey below.

-Craig

What are your thoughts on AI for Good? Hit reply to share your thoughts or favorite resources or fill the super quick survey below.

Got tips, news, or feedback? Drop us a line at [email protected] or simply respond to this message or take 15 seconds to fill out the survey below. Your input makes this newsletter better every week.

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News & Resources

😄 Joke of the Day
Why did the AI refuse to join the debate team?
Because it couldn’t stop taking things literally.

News Highlights

• The Daily Show – Ronny Chieng Roasts the AI Hype
  A hilarious but insightful segment on how AI is being shoehorned into bizarre and unnecessary roles.
  Watch the clip

• Teen Vogue – The Hidden Environmental Costs of ChatGPT
  A sharp op-ed breaking down the climate implications of large language models—and what needs to be done.
  Read the article

• EFF – Bundled AI Surveillance Tools Are Quietly Entering Policing
  A must-read on how corporations are embedding AI tools into law enforcement packages with little oversight.
  Read the article

• Tech Policy Press – Machines Can’t Feel or Think—But We Can and Should
  A call to resist anthropomorphizing AI and to strengthen human accountability in automated systems.
  Read the article

Career Resource
PCDN Global Career Board
A career platform bridging professionals with mission-driven opportunities at the intersection of tech, peacebuilding, and global development. 350+ listings live now.
Visit the job board

LinkedIn Connection
Alec Nguyen – Founder of Logically, a terrific platform for leveraging AI and research.
Follow Alec on LinkedIn