Free download: AI checklist for trustees

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we live and work and the charity sector is no exception. For charities, AI could help deliver the most elusive of benefits: more time. By using AI to automate laborious tasks, utilising its ability to analyse complex datasets, or even simply asking it to take meeting notes, charities can be more efficient and, in the best case scenario, deliver more impact to the communities they serve.  

But AI also comes with risks – data bias, data privacy, the spread of misinformation, the environmental footprint, to name just a few. These challenges are not insignificant and must be considered seriously by charities looking to examine how AI technology could support their organisation. 

Charity leaders must be able to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis at the start of their AI journey to understand its impact on the charity, its beneficiaries, staff, and supporters. The Charity Digital Code of Practice offers a helpful framework to help leaders identify potential opportunities, understand best practice for responsible use of AI, and how to stay adaptable for the future.  

To support charity leaders further, we have also created a checklist to complement the advice provided in the Code, in partnership with Azeus Convene. The checklist is a guide to exploring AI responsibly, setting goals for using AI tools, exploring the risks and controls, and monitoring the tools needed and budget available. The checklist also includes a list of illuminating questions that trustees can ask before embarking on AI-powered projects.