AI and Social Impact: An Interview with Stephen Rockwell

Stephen Rockwell, founder of HumanServices.AI, shares his mission to leverage AI for social good, tackling the challenges of government and nonprofit sectors. He highlights how ethical AI can bring transformative solutions to marginalized communities.

Q1: Can you share a brief overview of your role and how technology shapes your organization's strategy?

Stephen Rockwell: I founded HumanServices.AI to focus on developing AI solutions that make a positive social and economic impact. My work involves collaborating with government agencies and nonprofits to ensure that AI is used ethically and effectively, especially in supporting marginalized communities. There’s a growing need for tools that can streamline operations, improve outcomes, and foster equity. In my role, I bridge technical know-how with social impact, making sure that these AI initiatives are accessible and scalable for organizations doing crucial work.

Q2: What is one significant challenge you're currently facing in technology, and how are you addressing it?

Stephen Rockwell: The challenge lies in both the early stage of AI adoption in the social impact sector and the need for scalable solutions. Many nonprofits and government agencies are just starting to embrace AI. For those already experimenting, it’s essential to find ways to scale successful projects rather than reinventing the wheel for each use case. I’m advising funders and organizations on how to scale AI models for broad, impactful use without duplicating efforts.

Q3: Can you highlight a recent tech initiative or project that you're excited about? What impact do you anticipate it will have?

Stephen Rockwell: One exciting project is a “digital caseworker,” developed in partnership with Nava PBC. It’s designed to assist social workers by combining knowledge of public benefits with local nonprofit resources. This AI tool helps caseworkers provide quick, accurate support for clients, especially in complex areas like benefits eligibility. With continued development, it could reduce the time it takes for individuals to get the help they need, ultimately improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Q4: How do you foster a culture of innovation within your team or organization?

Stephen Rockwell: Fostering innovation requires giving teams the space to experiment with AI while maintaining a strong ethical framework. Many nonprofits are still cautious, so we focus on creating cross-functional teams that can explore AI use cases and assess risks. I also help build the capacity for AI development by securing funding and resources, ensuring that even smaller organizations have access to the tools and training they need to innovate responsibly.

Q5: Looking forward, what technology trend do you think will have the most significant impact on your industry in the next few years?

Stephen Rockwell: AI will continue to reshape how work is done across all sectors, including government and nonprofits. The idea of a “co-pilot” for tasks, where AI assists in drafting reports, automating processes, and making decisions, is especially transformative. In social impact, AI can drive efficiencies in service delivery, especially in areas like customized education, workforce development, and public benefits. I see this evolution becoming even more impactful over the next five years as organizations adapt to new AI-driven workflows.

Conclusion

Stephen Rockwell’s vision for AI goes beyond automation—he’s using technology to empower social impact organizations to work smarter, faster, and more ethically. His work at HumanServices.AI sets the stage for the next wave of AI solutions that focus on social good, helping underserved communities in meaningful ways.

Stephen Rockwell

Founder of HumanServices.ai

Stephen Rockwell is a nonprofit technology leader, recently a founder of HumanServices.ai and a Senior Technical Advisor at Project Evident in their OutcomesAI practice. He was previously the Chief Digital Officer at Benefits Data Trust driving a transformation of benefits access services to make them digital, intelligent, and human-centric. He advised federal and state government on AI policy. Stephen’s career in the social impact sector includes a record of success in creating innovative, technology-driven solutions at the innovation edge of new technology for social impact. For example, he conceived a comprehensive nonprofit rating system focusing on impact, scaling the number of nonprofits rated by Charity Navigator through automation. He created the first digital membership card in use for venues at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. He also built the first neighborhood Wi-Fi network in the country in West Philadelphia bridging the digital divide for residents. He holds an MPA from Harvard's Kennedy School, an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management, and a BS in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University.