From Our Blog
How Nonprofits Are Reimagining AI — Reflections from the 2025 Global Washington Annual Conference
Written By Spreeha Foundation
Originally posted on the Spreeha Foundation website 12/9/25
Artificial intelligence has been an emerging subject in nonprofit circles for several years, often sitting at the periphery of conversations – either viewed with skepticism or treated as something that belonged primarily to corporate or academic domains. At this year’s Global Washington Annual Conference in Seattle, that perception appeared to shift. The tone of the discussion was notably different: nonprofit leaders were not debating whether AI mattered, but rather seeking clarity on how to integrate it responsibly, meaningfully, and in ways that enhance service delivery for communities.
This evolving mindset framed one of the conference’s first dedicated AI workshops, featuring Michael Tjalve, PhD, Board Chair of Spreeha Foundation, as a panelist alongside development leaders Paul Essene of Opportunity International and Cameron Birge of Microsoft. The session centered on practical considerations for mission-driven organizations exploring AI, balancing its potential to strengthen nonprofit work with a clear-eyed discussion of limitations, risks, and organizational readiness.
Michael Tjalve with co-panelists Paul Essene and Cameron Birge at the Conference
Spreeha’s Perspective: Application Over Abstraction
Spreeha Foundation’s contribution to the conversation was rooted in operational experience rather than theory. As an organization operating a tech-enabled urgent care network in Bangladesh, Spreeha has been testing how digital tools and carefully designed AI-assisted systems can support frontline healthcare delivery. Current efforts focus on strengthening triage decision-making, providing structured decision-support guidance for health workers, improving diagnostic and referral pathways, and designing follow-up systems for patients managing chronic conditions.
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