Excitement and careful optimism surround the potentials of AI, yet it is imperative to ensure the ethical, equitable, and safe utilization of this technology.
By Daniela Weber, Deputy Director of the NetHope Center for the Digital Nonprofit
AI has been a focal point in discussions at NetHope Global Summit sessions since 2018. During that time, a group of individuals, including myself as a Member CIO, convened to delve into the ethical considerations of AI. Subsequently, an AI workstream was initiated within NetHope’s Emerging Technologies working group to explore the application of AI in our sector and address associated challenges. Over time, several NetHope Members have begun to experiment with AI through pilots and prototypes, with some initiatives now expanding and delivering tangible benefits.
The recent NetHope Global Summit featured 12 dedicated AI sessions, along with numerous other sessions incorporating AI discussions, all of which attracted significant interest. The emergence of generative AI into mainstream discourse has elevated conversations regarding the benefits and risks of AI, capturing the attention of leadership teams and boards within nonprofit organizations. The ongoing dialogue within NetHope’s Membership AI workstream aims to explore various facets of AI and collaborate on identifying opportunities for collective action. For instance, work on developing the Humanitarian AI Code of Conduct, initiated at the NetHope Global Summit, continues to progress.
A similar scenario unfolded at this year’s Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG) conference in Nashville, where AI was a prevalent topic in keynotes, presentations, and discussions. Notably, the AI Adoption Framework for Philanthropy, which we experimented with in its draft form during the conference, is set for an official launch on December 6th.
Key Insights:
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Growing Interest in AI: There is a burgeoning interest in leveraging AI within the nonprofit sector to enhance operational efficiency and impact delivery across various domains such as anticipatory actions, healthcare recommendations, conservation efforts, and fundraising. The advent of generative AI offers new avenues for streamlining processes in areas like IT and finance, crucial for nonprofits striving to achieve more with limited resources.
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Mitigating Risks: Concerns surrounding AI risks, including bias, data privacy, misinformation, and cybersecurity, have prompted discussions on responsible AI usage. Nonprofits must establish governance frameworks to regulate AI tools effectively and employ cross-functional mechanisms for risk assessment. Toolkits like NetHope’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics for Nonprofits and the upcoming Gender Equitable AI toolkit aim to promote ethical and equitable AI practices.
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Challenges in AI Adoption: Practical obstacles hinder AI adoption in nonprofits, stemming from a lack of expertise and clarity on selecting suitable solutions amidst a plethora of options. Collaborating with technology partners to clarify roadmaps and pricing structures is essential for informed decision-making. Additionally, managing vendor risks, especially in the generative AI space, is critical for ensuring stability and reliability in technology solutions.
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Data Quality: The foundation of any effective AI solution lies in quality data. Establishing robust data governance structures is paramount for leveraging AI effectively. Discussions within NetHope’s AI Working Group also explore the potential of sharing datasets among organizations to enhance AI capabilities collectively.
In conclusion, while the prospects of AI are exciting, it is crucial to approach its adoption with caution, ensuring ethical, equitable, and safe practices prevail.
NetHope’s New Strategic Plan – Digital Transformation & Innovation – Generative AI Program Highlight
NetHope has unveiled its 2024-2030 strategy, focusing on bridging the new Digital Divides that pose challenges to international NGO missions. These divides encompass gaps in infrastructure, capabilities, and knowledge, necessitating collective action to address skills and leadership, inclusion, protection, transformation and innovation, and climate adaptation and resilience.
Spotlight on Digital Transformation and Innovation:
Innovation plays a pivotal role in addressing evolving challenges faced by nonprofits and the communities they serve. NetHope leverages its network, data, and history of driving collective action to provide context-specific, scalable insights, policies, and advice to tackle complex problems effectively.
Program Focus: Augmenting Generative AI Skills and Practices for Nonprofits:
NetHope’s AI initiatives, dating back to 2018, emphasize building generative AI skills tailored to the unique requirements of nonprofits, their staff, and implementation partners. The program includes training, market analysis for sector-appropriate solutions, and knowledge exchange to empower organizations in harnessing AI effectively. NetHope has also released several resources on AI, including guides on ethics, suitability, and usefulness of AI solutions in nonprofit settings. Explore resources such as NetHope’s Guide to Usefulness of Existing AI Solutions in Nonprofit Organizations, The AI Suitability Toolkit for Nonprofits, and the Artificial Intelligence Ethics for Nonprofits Toolkit for further insights.
