AI trends set to define 2025

As the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the charity sector becomes more widespread – in 2024, 61% of charities used AI, which increased from 27% in 2023, according to the Charity Digital Skills Report 2024 – what does 2025 hold? What are the trends that charities need to know about and how can they stay ahead of the curve?

 

Spoiler alert…charities won’t be able to stay ahead of the AI curve. This is because of the sheer pace that AI is moving at, and the skills and dedication required to keep up with it. But charities need to be curious and willing to invest time in learning about AI models and seek out use cases for learning and inspiration. AI can streamline processes, personalise and tailor experiences, predict market trends, and even generate revenue.

 

Will 2025 be the year that your charity embraces AI?

 

 

Assessing the risks of AI

 

When it comes to AI and the charity sector, charities are still finding their feet.

 

Given the ethical questions around AI and the concern around data risks, privacy, bias, copyright infringement – not to mention the impact on the climate – it’s no wonder that charities are cautious.

 

But AI is not a fad. It’s here to stay. Being cautious is the responsible thing to do but charities also need to be brave and bold. 2025 should be the year that every charity learns more about the technology, the risks, and how other charities are using it effectively.

 

 

AI trends to look out for 2025

 

Here are seven AI trends set to define 2025 for the charity sector.

 

 

AI policies

 

As charities go beyond using AI in content creation, ideation, and increasing productivity to using AI in future planning and service delivery, now is the time to consider creating an AI policy. This will set out the rules, regulations and guidelines in using, developing, and deploying AI technologies within your organisation.

 

 

Custom-built AI models

 

Charities are already building their own AI models for service delivery, such as Caddy by Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford (CASORT).

 

Caddy is an AI-powered assistant that draws information from GOV.UK and Citizens Advice’s own website, and propriety knowledge base, to help advisors find information more quickly. They are also piloting an AI solution that will help automate case notes, which is so far saving up to 50% of write-up time.

 

2025 will see more charities identifying how AI could help them with service delivery and then building custom AI models to deliver those services.

 

 

The rise of Agentic AI

 

Just when you thought you’d finally got your head around generative AI, along comes Agentic AI. Unlike generative AI, which simply responds to questions and requires prompts to get to the best answers, Agentic AI is designed to understand the environment its operating in, to act independently, and to take initiative.

 

Agentic AI can provide highly personalised and tailored experiences – as well as learning from people’s interactions to provide better experiences.

 

Perhaps 2025 will be the year that charities experiment with using Agentic AI to improve and optimise donor journeys and supporter engagement.

 

 

Roles requiring experience in AI

 

It may not feature on the “essential criteria” (unless it’s an innovation role) but experience in AI will most certainly feature in ‘desirable skills’ on most marketing, content, fundraising, and digital roles. For those looking for a new job, having experience of using AI in your role will be an advantage.

 

 

AI training courses

 

2025 will see an increase in AI training courses, covering everything from basic understanding to using generative AI for data analysis.

 

FutureLearn already offers 20 free online AI courses.

 

 

AI as an income stream

 

While AI can help save money by increasing productivity and efficiency and automating tasks, 2025 will be the year more charities explore AI as an income stream.

 

RNIB offers a paid service where they convert documents, such as bank statements, exam papers, mortgage applications, and prescriptions into accessible formats for people with sight loss.

 

They developed an AI-based solution, called Mailings, to streamline the process and scale it up. The charity estimates that conversion time has reduced from up to two weeks to around three hours through using an AI solution.

 

This frees up time to take on more clients and generate more revenue.

 

 

More charity use cases

 

Expect every charity sector conference this year to feature at least one AI use case. One of the great things about the charity sector is our openness and willingness to share – whether it’s success stories, stories of failure (or a mix) more charities will be sharing how they are using AI in their day-to-day work, in service delivery and in predictive modelling.