How Jake Cook's Vision for AI Can Transform Not Just Education

When Harvard Business School professor Jake Cook likened AI to a "super-eager intern who stayed up all night drinking Red Bull," I laughed—and immediately knew I had to pay attention. In his recent talk at a private OpenAI Forum, Cook unpacked how he uses AI not as a gimmick but as a transformative tool to enhance education, foster creativity, and build critical thinking skills.

As someone who's seen AI begin to revolutionize nonprofit fundraising and operations in the last couple of years, I couldn't help but connect his insights to the challenges and opportunities my peers face every day. IMHO, Cook's lessons go far beyond the classroom, offering practical takeaways for anyone navigating an increasingly AI-driven world.

AI as a Partner in Learning

Cook's philosophy is simple but powerful: AI is a collaborator, not a replacement. "What if you treat the class like an algorithm and you have to train it?" he asked. This mindset shift changes how educators—and potentially anyone using AI—approach their work.

In his classroom, Cook uses AI to support student learning in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. For example, he creates custom GPTs tailored to specific course topics, allowing students to explore without distractions or misinformation from the web. These tools help students experiment, iterate, and learn through doing.

The real magic of Cook's approach comes through in the stories of his students. One assignment stood out: building personal websites using AI. "One student built their entire website—images, copy, design—all using AI. Watching them take ownership of the process was incredible," Cook said. Students used tools like ChatGPT and Wix to generate professional-grade results, gaining both technical skills and creative confidence.

Another powerful moment came during a live class exercise. Cook discussed a business case using synthetic data, but the AI "hallucinated" a critical error. Instead of brushing it off, he turned it into a teachable moment. "You don't just trust what the AI says—you question it, verify it, and iterate," he explained. This lesson in critical thinking resonated with his students and is just as vital for nonprofit professionals navigating data-driven decisions.

Takeaway for Nonprofits

I believe many of Cook's classroom strategies can also translate directly to the nonprofit world that I know best. Just as he uses AI to adapt lessons in real time, nonprofits can use AI to analyze donor feedback, refine messaging, and optimize program outcomes. By treating AI as a partner, organizations can enhance their impact without overhauling their entire approach.

Of course, AI isn't without its pitfalls. Cook cautioned against over-reliance, comparing AI to a knife: "It can butter your bread, or it can hurt you. Learn to use it wisely." Nonprofits must approach AI thoughtfully, ensuring ethical use and safeguarding sensitive data while also fostering AI literacy among their teams.

Cook's Practical Steps for AI Literacy

Start Small and Experiment

Cook's advice for getting started with AI is simple: begin with small, manageable tasks—and I couldn't agree more. Tools like ChatGPT can help streamline everyday work, from drafting emails to brainstorming ideas. "You don't have to be a coder to use AI effectively," he reminded us. Many of his recommendations can translate directly to nonprofit work. For example, start using AI for routine tasks, such as:

• Drafting donor thank-you notes.
• Summarizing meeting minutes.
• Creating outlines for proposals.

One of Cook's key lessons is that effective AI use starts with clear, thoughtful prompts. "Prompting is like debugging—it's about refining your thinking process until you get the output you need," he said. Practice creating prompts by:

• Starting with a specific goal (e.g., "Generate a social media post for our upcoming fundraiser").
• Adding details, such as tone, audience, and key points to include.
• Iterating based on AI's response.

In Cook's classroom, students provide real-time feedback via QR codes at the end of each class. This feedback is analyzed with AI, helping him refine lessons on the fly. Nonprofits can adopt a similar approach to adapt campaigns or programs in real time.

• Use Google Forms to gather donor or participant feedback.
• Analyze responses with AI tools to identify trends or areas for improvement.
• Adjust strategies based on data insights.

Cook acknowledged the cost barriers of premium AI tools but emphasized that much can be done with free or low-cost options. For nonprofits, accessibility is key to maximizing impact. If you haven't embraced AI yet, try this:

• Explore free tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
• Leverage built-in AI features in platforms like Microsoft 365 or Canva.

For AI-enabled productivity software, I'd also recommend checking out the discounted or often free software available through TechSoup

Let's All Prepare for an AI-Driven Future

I want to end by thanking Natalie Cone PMP and her team at OpenAI for once again hosting an insightful forum. Because Cook's talk wasn't just about education—it was a blueprint for how AI can empower us all to do better, more impactful work. His stories of students transforming their learning with AI are inspiring but also serve as a call to action. The message for educators, nonprofits, and professionals across industries is clear: the future is here, and it's time to get on board.

Start small. Experiment. Iterate. And above all, treat AI as a partner. As Cook said, "When you work with AI, you'll see how it can amplify your best ideas."

So, what's your first step toward becoming AI-literate? The possibilities are endless—and they're waiting for you to explore.