Charity AI Task Force to bring third sector up to speed

An AI ‘charity task force’ has been launched to champion the responsible, inclusive and collaborative use of the technology across the social sector amid fears that charities are being left behind in the AI race.

Created through a collaboration between the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST), and AI consultancy Zoe Amar Digital, the Charity AI Task Force has been backed by more than 20 member organisations, including The National Lottery Community Fund, King’s College London, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, Shelter, and Charity Digital.

The new task force is currently focused on a number of missions, including acting as a collective voice for AI in the charity sector, and encouraging collaboration between charities and key stakeholders, for example tech funders, regulators, and businesses.

Also a priority is influencing the responsible, ethical, and sustainable development of AI, both in and outside of the charity sector, as well as developing a coordinated approach to AI that will ensure better support for charities of all sizes.

One of the first tasks the new group will undertake will be responding to the Government’s recent AI Opportunities Action Plan.

According to research carried out by CAST, just 6% of charities have an AI policy in place, and that even fewer (5.5%) are collecting data on the impact of AI on their beneficiaries, despite 64% thinking the technology could be useful to their organisation.

In addition, few of those working in the sector believe there is enough AI upskilling support among charities (6%), while over half (51%) said their organisation was providing no AI training.

Zoe Amar, who will serve as co-chair for the initiative, said: “The charity sector possesses crucial insights into societal challenges that must inform the development of AI tools.

“Our immediate priority is responding to the Government’s AI plan, to help shape responsible innovation that truly serves communities.”

Fellow co-chair Dan Sutch, who is a director at CAST, added: “We have seen time and again the proven power of networks to effect real change.

“That’s why we feel it is vital at this point for social sector organisations – and the supporting infrastructure – to come together and navigate a path through the rapidly-changing AI landscape.

“We know that if we can share challenges, identify opportunities, foster partnerships and advocate for support as one unified voice, our presence and influence within this new technology will be strengthened beyond measure.”