Boosting Nonprofit Impact: Ethical AI Strategies for Success
Published on: March 10, 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a topic of discussion at NetHope Global Summit sessions since 2018, when a group of individuals, including myself, delved into the ethics of AI. This led to the initiation of an AI workstream in NetHope’s Emerging Technologies working group. Over the years, numerous NetHope Members have begun exploring AI, piloting projects, and some have successfully scaled AI solutions to deliver tangible benefits.
At this year’s NetHope Global Summit, AI took center stage with 12 dedicated AI sessions and numerous discussions, indicating a heightened interest in AI's potential and risks. The discourse on AI has also reached leadership teams and boards of nonprofit organizations. The NetHope Membership AI workstream continues to explore various aspects of AI and collaborate on collective initiatives. For example, work on the Humanitarian AI Code of Conduct, which began at a previous Summit, is ongoing.
Similar enthusiasm for AI was observed at the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG) conference, where keynotes and discussions centered around AI. The AI Adoption Framework for Philanthropy, tested during the conference, is set to launch on December 6th.
Key Takeaways:
AI holds immense potential for the nonprofit sector, enabling various applications from anticipatory actions to fundraising efficiency in a resource-constrained environment.
Addressing AI risks such as bias, data privacy, and societal impact is crucial, and organizations need governance and toolkits like NetHope’s AI Ethics for Nonprofits to navigate responsibly.
Capacity and capability challenges exist for nonprofits, and clarity on AI solutions and roadmaps from technology partners is essential.
Quality data underpins effective AI solutions, necessitating robust data governance structures and potential data sharing initiatives.
Balancing excitement and responsibility is essential to harness AI equitably, ethically, and safely for the benefit of nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.
NetHope's commitment to digital transformation and innovation includes a Generative AI Program that focuses on building AI skills and practices for nonprofits. This program aims to equip nonprofits with the knowledge and resources needed to leverage AI effectively. NetHope has also published valuable resources on AI ethics and suitability for nonprofits.