IFC KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AI

Overview

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, sought to harness the power of Generative AI to enhance knowledge management, boost innovation, and drive operational efficiencies across the organization. In partnership with New Native and leveraging OpenAI technologies, IFC successfully conducted the “KNOWvember 2024” AI Hackathon, rapidly deploying 12 internal AI solutions within just 30 days.

Challenge

IFC aimed to:

Simplify complex informational content into accessible formats.

Improve the relevance and accessibility of internal knowledge repositories.

Increase engagement through interactive and gamified knowledge-sharing solutions.

Quickly equip staff, both technical and non-technical, with practical AI skills and knowledge.

Approach

Preparation Phase

IFC hosted introductory workshops to familiarize participants with AI technologies, provided extensive tutorial materials, and established clear ideation pathways.

Hackathon Execution

Over eight days, participants—more than 60 team members from diverse backgrounds—engaged in guided prototyping sessions. New Native’s expert team supported participants, ensuring rapid prototyping and practical applications of Generative AI technologies.

Technology Infrastructure

Utilizing Azure cloud infrastructure integrated with OpenAI-native tools, IFC teams benefited from secure, advanced environments for AI application development.

Outcomes

Rapid Innovation

In under a month, IFC developed and deployed 12 distinct AI solutions internally.

Team Empowerment

More than 60 IFC team members received hands-on training and practical AI experience, significantly boosting internal AI capabilities.

Impactful Solutions

Winning prototypes included automated report summarizers, interactive data dashboards, smart knowledge repositories, and gamified learning modules.

Organizational Buy-in

IFC leadership, including CIO Laura McCanlies, actively participated, endorsing and adopting the developed solutions.

Results

The KNOWvember AI Hackathon achieved:

Enhanced knowledge management and operational efficiency.

Demonstrated the practical value and accessibility of AI for non-technical staff.

Established a repeatable, scalable innovation framework for future AI-driven initiatives.

Client Testimonial

“Our colleagues are very active in AI adoption, so we expected this hackathon to bring new insights, skills, and possibilities—and it certainly delivered. Grateful to the entire IFC team and our partners at lablab.ai for making it happen.”

— Laura McCanlies, CIO, IFC

Future Outlook

Building on this successful pilot, IFC plans ongoing collaboration with lablab.ai, expanding the deployment of Generative AI tools across additional functional areas and scaling internal innovation events.

Project Details

Azure, OpenAI

Technology Used

lablab.ai

Partner

November 2024 (30 days)

Project Timeline

Hybrid (Online and Onsite)

Engagement Model

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