
​'What is your AI strategy?'
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If you work for a civil society, government, or a philanthropic organization, that’s the question of the moment. But it’s a dangerous one that will lead you astray. Here's why:
1. Technology is not a north star. It’s not a vision of the future you want to create. AI is an especially problematic starting point because it and other data-driven technologies can encode past inequitable patterns in the present. Technology might be a piece of the puzzle, but the sociotechnical problem you’re trying to solve and the future you’re trying to create should drive your approach.
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2. Strategies shouldn’t look forward, they should map backward. The future is not a neat ‘theory of change’ away. All technologies are entangled in social systems (e.g. race, gender, power, etc.), which are complex, and don’t often adhere to cause-and-effect. Your strategy must be clear-eyed about these complex dynamics, and map backward from the future you want to create.
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3. ‘Your’ assumes that you can do this alone. You can’t. Shifting systems and building new futures requires collective action, which in turn, hinges on collective sense-making. It requires getting on the same page about the complexity of the problem across diverse stakeholders, the future the group wants to create, and how to get from here to there.
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As an expert in sociotechnical systems, strategist, and facilitator, I’m here to help you realize your vision. I offer a range of advisory services, including strategy development, visioning and world building, coalition and partnership design, and sociotechnical analysis.
As a facilitator and strategist, Charley skillfully pulls out diverse perspectives and comfortably navigates areas of strategic divergence. If you want help coalescing around a new future direction or change agenda, he is your guy!"

Charley is a next-generation strategist and facilitator who builds generative connections across sectors, ideas, and people with different perspectives and backgrounds. He is simply an incredible partner for empowering communities to make progress against complex problems."

Charley's strategic thinking, high EQ, deep listening skills, and ability to ask incisive questions help cut to the heart of complex and challenging group dynamics, while moving the group toward impact."
