Personas
Eight starting points, from every mix of motivation, capability and opportunity. Each profile says who they are, what they say, and how they work with the others.
Skeptical Spectators
Organizations and individuals who haven't yet connected with AI's potential role in their work. They might see AI as too complex, irrelevant to their mission, or primarily a source of risk rather than opportunity.
Examples in the Wild
- 🏢A resource-stretched community organization who cannot afford to be distracted from their core mission
- 🔬A local service provider who views AI as too complex and risky to consider
- 💡A large organisation used to off-the-shelf systems, that sees shaping AI workflows to their needs as unrealistic
Perspectives
We're busy serving our community - AI feels like a distraction from what really matters.
Mission Focused
We hear a lot about AI risks and failures. Why would we want to get involved with that?
Risk Aware
Anything beyond basic AI seems like something only cutting-edge organizations with lots of resources can do.
Resource Constrained
Ways to Work Together
Can begin engaging through simple demonstrations of AI's practical value in contexts similar to their own. Capable Catalysts can help build understanding, Aspiring Accelerators can share real success stories, and Watchful Wardens can demonstrate how risks can be managed responsibly.
Eager Explorers
Early in their AI journey but energized by its possibilities. They're actively seeking to understand how AI could enhance their work, looking for learning opportunities, and interested in connecting with others who can help them move forward responsibly.
Examples in the Wild
- 🏥A community health worker exploring how AI could help predict and prevent health crises
- 🌿A local environmental group wanting to learn how AI could improve their conservation monitoring
- 👥A youth services organization eager to understand AI's potential benefits and risks for their programs
Perspectives
We need to understand AI better - both what it can do and how to use it responsibly.
Learning Seeker
We see specific challenges AI might help with, but we need guidance on where to start.
Solution Explorer
We want to learn from others who've done this successfully in similar contexts.
Community Connector
Ways to Work Together
Natural starting points for building ecosystem momentum. Their enthusiasm attracts Capable Catalysts as mentors, while their real-world challenges interest Latent Luminaries. Their progress often inspires Skeptical Spectators and helps Watchful Wardens see responsible paths forward.
Latent Luminaries
Possess strong technical skills but haven't engaged with shaping how AI serves broader society. They might work in traditional tech roles, unaware of opportunities to contribute through knowledge sharing, collaborative development, or helping establish responsible practices.
Examples in the Wild
- 🧠A machine learning expert who could help others understand AI's possibilities but hasn't found teaching opportunities
- ⚙️A tech lead with experience scaling AI systems who hasn't considered sharing implementation best practices
- 📚An AI safety researcher focused on technical papers who could help shape practical governance frameworks
Perspectives
I work with AI every day, but I haven't thought about how my expertise could help others use it well.
Technical Expert
We've solved some complex AI challenges, but I'm not sure how to share these learnings more broadly.
Implementation Specialist
My work could help make AI more reliable and trustworthy, but I mostly interact with other researchers.
Safety Researcher
Ways to Work Together
Can contribute in multiple ways - from mentoring Eager Explorers and sharing knowledge, to joining hands-on development with Aspiring Accelerators, to helping establish responsible practices with Watchful Wardens. Their technical expertise becomes more valuable when connected to real-world applications and governance needs.
Capable Catalysts
Skilled technologists eager to help shape how AI serves society. They actively seek ways to share knowledge, build solutions with others, and establish good practices, but need connections and supportive environments to make it happen.
Examples in the Wild
- 🔬An AI researcher who wants to help community organizations understand and safely adopt AI
- 🤝A tech professional looking to join hands-on projects that bring different sectors together
- 📋A machine learning expert interested in developing frameworks for responsible AI adoption
Perspectives
I want to help others understand AI's real potential and limitations - not just the hype.
Knowledge Sharer
The best innovations come from combining different perspectives. I'm looking for partners who bring new viewpoints to the table.
Solution Builder
We need to establish better ways of working with AI. I'd love to help create frameworks that work in the real world.
Practice Shaper
Ways to Work Together
Natural bridges between technical and non-technical partners. Can mentor Eager Explorers in understanding AI, work with Aspiring Accelerators on practical solutions, and help Watchful Wardens establish responsible practices. Their enthusiasm for meaningful collaboration often inspires Latent Luminaries to engage.
Watchful Wardens
Stewards of valuable funding or impact channels who maintain a reserved stance toward AI adoption. They prioritize proven approaches and risk management, seeking clear evidence that AI aligns with their established standards and responsibilities.
Examples in the Wild
- 💰A foundation with significant resources carefully evaluating AI investments against their risk framework
- 🏥A large healthcare network protecting established care pathways while exploring AI's potential
- 🏛️A government agency with extensive public service channels maintaining careful oversight of innovation
Perspectives
We need to see clear governance frameworks and proven impact before committing resources to AI initiatives.
Funder
Our networks serve vulnerable populations - we can't experiment without strong evidence and safeguards.
Service Provider
We're responsible for essential services. Any AI integration needs to meet our established standards.
Public Sector
Ways to Work Together
Might engage with those who have clear ethical frameworks—like Transformative Trailblazers offering best practices—or team up with Capable Catalysts who can demonstrate low-risk pilot projects. Safe testbeds could make them more open to engagement, which could in turn help them understand AI opportunities and how to adopt it in ways that fit their risk profile.
Aspiring Accelerators
Allies who recognize AI's potential for social impact and have the means to help make it happen. Some bring funding to support promising initiatives, others offer implementation channels where AI could enhance their existing work, and some bring both.
Examples in the Wild
- 🏥A healthcare provider with established service networks looking to implement AI-powered patient support
- 💰A philanthropic foundation focused on social impact and ready to fund promising AI initiatives
- 🏛️A local government with limited resources, but proven community programs ready for AI enhancement
Perspectives
We've identified exactly where AI could transform our services - now we need the right partners to make it happen.
Implementation Channel
We're committed to supporting innovations that can improve lives at scale. We don't need to understand all the technical details - we trust our partners for that.
Funder
We're a small team but we know how things work. We're ready to help shape and prove solutions that if they work here, will work anywhere.
Public Sector Beachhead
Ways to Work Together
Natural allies for technical innovators, providing the infrastructure - whether funding or implementation channels - needed to turn ideas into impact. Their support enables exploration, validation, and scaling of promising solutions.
Dormant Dynamos
Established players with proven technical capability and either significant funding or robust implementation channels, who maintain a focus on traditional commercial or research paths. While equipped to drive cross-sector innovation, they see limited incentive to engage in collaborative approaches that could reshape how AI serves broader society.
Examples in the Wild
- 🏢A successful AI company preferring controlled in-house development over cross-sector collaboration
- 🔬A well-resourced research lab maintaining traditional academic pathways rather than engaging with implementation partners
- 💻A tech platform with extensive reach choosing to optimize existing business models over exploring new collaborative approaches
Perspectives
Cross-sector collaboration sounds interesting, but our established development approach is more predictable and controllable.
Commercial Entity
Our current research program follows proven academic pathways - shifting to collaborative implementation would require significant changes to how we work.
Research Institution
We understand the value of diverse perspectives, but our existing processes aren't set up for deep cross-sector engagement.
Tech Platform
Ways to Work Together
May engage if shown how cross-sector collaboration can enhance rather than disrupt their core strengths. Transformative Trailblazers can demonstrate new partnership models, while Capable Catalysts might identify low-risk ways to experiment with collaborative approaches. Their engagement often starts with contained pilots that demonstrate the unique value of cross-sector innovation.
Transformative Trailblazers
Leaders who combine technical excellence, practical resources, and genuine commitment to reshape how AI serves society. They actively demonstrate new ways of working, build bridges across sectors, and help establish patterns others can follow.
Examples in the Wild
- 🎓A research institution that's built successful frameworks for community-led AI development
- 🌐A tech company running multiple cross-sector innovation programs with proven impact
- 🔄A foundation combining technical expertise, funding, and implementation channels to drive systematic change
Perspectives
We've learned so much about making AI work in real contexts. Now we're focused on helping others avoid the hard lessons and accelerate their impact.
Knowledge Leader
The key is bringing different worlds together - tech, community, policy. When we connect these pieces, that's when transformation happens.
Bridge Builder
We're not just building individual solutions - we're creating patterns and practices that help everyone work better together.
System Shaper
Ways to Work Together
Natural ecosystem catalysts who can activate and support all other personas. They help Skeptical Spectators see possibilities, mentor Eager Explorers, inspire Latent Luminaries and Dormant Dynamos, validate approaches for Watchful Wardens, and provide proven patterns for Aspiring Accelerators and Capable Catalysts to follow.