Author: LiSVA
On November 19, in anticipation of Social Enterprise Day, a creative workshop titled “From Artificial Intelligence to Social Impact” took place at the Juozas Keliuotis Public Library of Rokiškis District Municipality. The event brought together participants from various Lithuanian cities and Latvia. It was aimed at organisations with a social mission, looking to deepen their knowledge in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools in their operations.
Artificial Intelligence – A Tool for the Present, Not the Future
The first part of the event, titled “AI, analytics and digital tools for impact-driven organisations”, was led by Tomas Labašauskas, an AI enthusiast, founder of several digital ventures, and innovation developer. His session focused on the practical application of AI in organisations with a social mission.
During the session, participants explored how AI and digital tools can help organisations become more visible, efficient, and inclusive. It was highlighted that AI tools are not limited to report writing or data processing – they can also be applied in storytelling, policy development, communication campaign planning, and even advocacy.
According to Labašauskas, generative AI tools – such as platforms for creating text, images, or videos – enable even small organisations to communicate their activities professionally. The true value lies not in the technologies themselves, but in the ability to apply them creatively – both in internal operations and external communication.
The speaker also presented practical examples of how AI tools can be used for advocacy, social communication, and improving internal processes. Participants had the opportunity to try out several digital tools designed for generating ideas for communication campaigns and creating visual and written content.
Insights That Shift the Perspective on AI
The workshop also covered broader trends in AI applications and the challenges associated with them. According to the speaker, more than half of the content published online today – from news articles to blog posts – is generated with the help of AI tools. This indicates that such technologies are no longer a vision of the future – they are actively shaping our information space. He also emphasised that it is currently impossible to consistently and accurately distinguish between content created by humans and that created by AI. This raises questions not only about the ethical use of content but also about audience trust.
Labašauskas also explained that achieving high-quality results with AI requires the ability to formulate effective prompts. One of the main mistakes is relying too much on the tool without providing clear context. Good results come when the user clearly defines the role of AI, assigns a task, provides context, gives an example, and specifies the type of response expected. Following such structure allows for more accurate and practically applicable outcomes.
Although the pace of technological development is rapid, its practical implementation in organisations is still lagging behind and often insufficient. The speaker noted a clear gap between what AI can already do and how we actually use it – we often stick to basic functions and miss out on creative opportunities. Thus, the biggest challenge today is not the technology itself, but our ability to understand, integrate, and apply it to our mission effectively.
Challenges of Social Entrepreneurship in the Regions
The second part of the workshop, titled “Goals, Leadership Motivation, and Development Factors of Social Mission Organizations in Northern Lithuania,” focused on analysing the regional social entrepreneurship ecosystem. It was led by Dr. Vilma Atkočiūnienė, a social scientist researching social innovation and community and social entrepreneurship, who also consults local communities on smart village development.
Her presentation featured the latest data and insights on social mission organisations in Northern Lithuania and Zemgale, based on interviews with regional social innovators and analyses conducted in the city and district of Panevėžys, as well as the districts of Rokiškis, Pasvalys, Kupiškis, and Biržai.
The presentation discussed both the goals of social organisations and the motivation of social innovators – what drives them to engage in activities that create value for society and address pressing local community issues. The following motivational groups were identified: value-based moral motives, the desire to create social impact, personal growth and self-realisation, the added value of projects, and the methods applied (e.g., LEADER).
One of the key questions explored was: What are the main factors influencing the development of such organisations? Many of them are linked to bureaucratic complexity, lack of equal partnerships, long decision-making periods (e.g., long waits for responses from municipalities), slow processes, lack of funding sources, unstable legal regulations, and the insufficient recognition and visibility of social entrepreneurship both locally and nationally.
Dr. Atkočiūnienė noted that although the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region is not yet fully formed, clear driving forces are already visible. According to her, it is essential not only to strengthen the capabilities of local communities and their confidence in their own initiatives but also to promote inter-institutional and international cooperation, which can become a key catalyst for growth. This part of the workshop provided a valuable opportunity to view social entrepreneurship not only as practical activity but also as a complex system that requires strategic development and evidence-based decision-making.