Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now—hyped in headlines, tested in boardrooms, and debated in classrooms. But for social entrepreneurs, the question isn’t whether AI is coming. It’s already here. The question is: how do we use it wisely, in ways that strengthen our missions instead of distracting from them?
That’s the central focus of Doug Lessing’s AI Street Smarts training. A longtime tech entrepreneur and social enterprise founder, Doug is no stranger to disruption. He’s spent decades building software companies, and founded the charitable giving platform Phin. He now leads Humankind AI, an initiative focused on putting AI to work “for humans, for the benefit of society.” He also serves on the leadership team of Founders Network—a community of more than 600 tech entrepreneurs—where he directs the AI Ops Lab.
Doug joined Social Enterprise Alliance for a conversation we called AI Street Smarts—a look at how mission-driven organizations can make sense of the fast-moving AI landscape.
From Book Smarts to Street Smarts
Doug started with a simple distinction: there’s the theory of AI, and then there’s the practice of using it in the real world. “You don’t need to be an AI engineer,” he explained. “You just need to get your hands on the tools, play around, and see what works for you.”
His advice was to resist both the hype and the fear. “Carve out a little time each week,” he suggests. “Experiment. Test things. The more you play with AI, the more you understand what it’s good at—and what it’s not.”
He emphasized that AI should serve as a partner, and never a substitute for human judgment. “AI is great at helping you start from zero to something,” he said. “But it can’t finish the work for you. That’s where your experience, your values, your mission come in.”
He pointed to common use cases:
- Content creation: “AI can give you a first draft, but you provide the nuance and the voice.”
- Operations: “Let the machine handle the repetitive stuff so you can focus on strategy.”
- Community impact: “AI can show you patterns in data, but empathy and understanding drive the solutions.”
The Social Enterprise Edge
Why does this matter to our community in particular? Social enterprises are uniquely positioned to lead on ethical, human-centered uses of technology. As Doug put it: “We’re not just chasing profit. We’re looking at people and planet, too. That’s a huge advantage when it comes to applying AI responsibly.”
He noted that while larger companies may have more resources, social enterprises often have the agility to innovate quickly. “You don’t need a massive budget to start experimenting,” he said. “You need curiosity and a willingness to try.”
Takeaways for Social Entrepreneurs
Doug left us with a few practical reminders:
- Start small. “Pick one workflow and test AI there. Don’t try to overhaul your whole business overnight.”
- Stay human. “Use AI as an assistant. It’s not a replacement for human creativity and empathy.”
- Lead with values. “The most important street smarts aren’t about technology. They’re about trust, ethics, and relationships.”
Artificial intelligence may feel like uncharted territory, but social entrepreneurs already know what it takes to navigate uncertainty. As Doug put it: “Street smarts are about rolling up your sleeves, experimenting, and keeping your mission at the center. That’s how we make AI work for good.”
If you missed the session, members can access the recording on Social Enterprise Alliance’s webinar page. And stay tuned—we’ll keep bringing you insights from leaders like Doug Lessing who are helping us make sense of what’s next.