The Chat for Impact Community is a global network of nonprofit organisations, social enterprises and funders. It promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing to develop scalable, evidence-based solutions using Chat and AI technologies. Each year, members share insights and data that highlight how these tools are developing and driving meaningful change.
In 2024, the Chat for Impact Community demonstrated the growing potential of Chat and AI to tackle systemic challenges, amplify social impact, and provide services and support to underserved populations worldwide.
Key Achievements
Health Initiatives
Organisations in various regions are using Chat and AI to bridge the gaps in health, making it easier for people to access healthcare, reduce stigma around sensitive health issues, and give individuals the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. Key areas include:
Youth Health Support: Chat solutions are providing culturally relevant, relatable health content that empowers young people to make informed decisions about their physical, sexual, and mental well-being.
Maternal & Infant Health: AI-powered maternal health services are offering resources and reminders to pregnant women, improving access to immunisations and early health interventions to directly address maternal and infant mortality in underserved areas.
Mental Health Support: The use of Chatbots that are private and available 24/7 are helping people in underserved communities manage anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts by reducing stigma and connecting them to vital resources.
Efficient Healthcare Access: Automated triage and appointment booking systems have made services more accessible.
Education & Skills Development Initiatives
Education plays a key role in transforming communities, and the Chat for Impact Community is helping ensure fairer access to quality learning and skill-building opportunities, these include:
Equitable Access to Education: Chat platforms are supporting early childhood education and foundational skills for children in rural and underserved areas. The inclusion of AI tools are being used to create personalised learning experiences by tailoring content to each child’s unique needs and challenges.
Supporting Learning Challenges: Organisations are bringing together parents, teachers, and therapists to offer accessible, research-backed support for children with behavioural or learning challenges.
Economic Empowerment Initiatives
Many organisations within the Chat for Impact Community are using Chat and AI to strengthen economic stability by helping small businesses grow, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating sustainable ways for people to earn a living.
Entrepreneurship Support: Chatbots on WhatsApp are providing micro-enterprises with coaching, training, and resources, helping entrepreneurs overcome barriers like lack of funding or access to formal training.
Enhancing Rural Livelihoods: Chat solutions are providing access to markets, digital tools, and business mentoring, creating new economic opportunities in underserved communities.
Empowering Women Through Digital Literacy: Programmes focused on improving digital and financial literacy for rural and peri-urban women are enabling them to access technology, expand market opportunities, and achieve financial independence using Chat, helping them start and grow micro-enterprises, boosting local economies and family well-being.
AI & Operational Efficiency
AI and chat-based technologies are helping to deliver services efficiently and streamline organisational operations in the field.
Real-Time Case Management: Chat platforms are helping frontline workers track gender-based violence cases and provide timely referrals.
AI-Driven Insights: Data-capture and predictive analytics are helping organisations identify trends, improve decision-making and allocate resources more effectively, scaling their impact.
Challenges & Adaptations
The 2024 survey revealed the four key barriers organisations face when building and scaling chat-based services. However, these challenges are also driving innovation and adaptation within the Chat for Impact Community.
Funding Constraints (52%)
Many organisations struggle to secure long-term funding to develop and maintain chat services.
Adaptations:
- Organisations are exploring new funding sources by partnering with private sector companies and philanthropic funders.
- They’re also focusing on measurable results to appeal to investors who prioritise impact.
Technical Skills Gaps (29%)
A common challenge for many organisations is the lack of expertise in creating and managing chat solutions, and integrating AI and large language models (LLMs).
Adaptations:
- Organisations are working with technology providers to build skills through training programs.
- They’re also sharing technical resources and expertise within the Community through workshops and open-source toolkits.
User Adoption and Growth (29%)
Organisations face challenges in engaging users and expanding their services, particularly in communities with low digital literacy or limited access to technology.
Adaptations:
- Tailoring content to align with local cultures and languages.
- Using feedback loops to refine usability and improve user experience over time.
- Collaborating with grassroots organisations to build trust and raise awareness in target communities.
AI and LLMs Integration Skills (29%)
Organisations are struggling with the challenges of implementing AI and large language models, such as addressing data privacy concerns and overcoming a lack of technical expertise.
Adaptations:
- Simplifying AI integration with easy-to-use, plug-and-play tools for non-technical users.
- Collaborating with AI service providers to create customised solutions.
- Organising training events and knowledge-sharing sessions on the responsible use of AI.
Lesson Learned
User-Centric Design: Understanding users’ needs, behaviours, and environments is key to designing effective chatbots. Keeping things simple and easy to use, especially for rural or less tech-savvy users, boosts engagement.
Human Connection & Empathy: The power of technology comes from its ability to foster genuine human connections. AI proves its value by incorporating an empathic tone and understanding, enhancing mental health support and creating more personalised learning experiences.
Structured Data & Iterative Learning: Building smooth, engaging conversations relies on thoughtful conversation design and carefully crafted prompts. By continuously learning from user interactions, both people and AI can deliver more accurate and relevant responses.
Strategic Engagement: A successful chatbot requires proactive efforts to attract the right users who genuinely benefit from the service. Interactive content, quizzes, and constant engagement foster better connections.
Scalability & Accessibility: Chat and AI significantly expand reach, especially in regions with growing access to phones and internet services. Generative AI services have proven more appealing due to their personalised and dynamic nature.
Balanced Design: Combining real-time data and flexible feature adaptation improves impact tracking and boosts user satisfaction. Ensuring efficiency, optimising resources, and maintaining data integrity should be core to the design and development process.
Success Stories
We have been inspired by the many organisations successfully using Chat to scale their impact, here are a few success stories from 2024 that stood out:
How Turn.io is Powering the Chat for Impact Community
Turn.io enables millions of life-improving conversations across the Global South. We help organisations scale access to trusted information, empathetic support, and essential services & resources through our chat platform and Chat for Impact community. To date Turn.io has enabled:
Looking Ahead to 2025
Through the Chat for Impact Community, Turn.io will help close funding gaps, strengthen technical skills, and foster collaboration to help more organisations use Chat and AI effectively.
Become A Partner
If you love what Turn.io is doing and you’d like to support the future of Chat for Impact, here’s how you can help
Funding & Resources – Provide financial and technical support for our Chat for Impact Accelerator programmes or our partners
Business Model Support – Mentor organisations to build sustainable, revenue-generating models.
Research & Impact Analysis – Help measure and improve effectiveness.
Capacity Building – Offer training in AI, behaviour change, and chatbot development.
