Since the release of ChatGPT back in 2022, there’s been a lot of talk about AI and its dangers.
Will ChatGPT take my job?
Will we lose the human element if we use AI to automate a process?
Will we become dependent on AI for simple tasks?
Will one of my staff publish an AI-generated article without fact-checking the data and thus bring shame upon the entire organization? 😱
All scary thoughts when you’re lying awake at night worried about the future of your NPO.
But even more than the dangers, as nonprofit pros, we worry about getting left behind on the technological landscape.
And while that’s a fair concern, it falls into the category of a scarcity mindset.
We start thinking thoughts like, “What if such and such organization figures it out before us, and their organization takes all the resources?”
And if you’re in that camp, I get it. I’ve been there–have the T-shirt to prove it.
But it’s not the kind of thinking that gets you more funders, volunteers, and partners for the meaningful work you’re doing in your NPO.
Instead, if you’re worried about falling behind the curve with regards to AI, don’t be. Remember we’re all figuring it out together.
AI likely won’t be the reason your organization succeeds or fails. But it might be the answer to automating some mindless tasks to give you more freedom in your day.
It might be the answer to sifting through mountains of data to create an ideal donor avatar that clarifies your strategic direction.
It might help you brainstorm for a presentation or come up with ideas for your next fundraising gala.
It might become an integral part of your work, and it might not.
The key to using AI is not to be afraid but to be willing to learn, to experiment, and to never ever think about the possibility of the singularity. 😅
But, in all seriousness, you don’t have to be afraid of AI. It’s just another gadget in your fundraising toolbox.
For more thoughts on AI and its role in fundraising, check out this week’s Nonprofit Lowdown with guest Afua Bruce!
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Afua Bruce knows her bytes from her bits. With experience from computer engineering to working for the FBI in the White House (?!?), Afua decrypts how bias gets baked into algorithms and breaks communities. But she also shares how nonprofits can responsibly use AI as a force for good and level up their impact with AI’s help. 👩🏿💻
Some of the key takeaways:
- Top AI concerns include the invisibility of marginalized groups and scalable bias due to historical data and speed/scale of deployment.
- Everyone can educate themselves on AI by trying tools, asking questions, and knowing when to turn systems off if they don’t serve you.
- Guidance for using AI ethically includes clarifying your strategy and values first, then evaluating if tools align.
- AI may risk loss of critical thinking skills but it also presents opportunities like predictive analytics to improve services.
Bottom line: We got this, people! 💪 Ask questions, set guardrails, but don’t let fear leave you behind. The tools ain’t perfect but we can influence and improve. As Afua says, “…you still have agency in this process.” ✊
Ready to go back to the future with some cautious optimism? Plug into our full episode for the AI 411 🎧:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/279-dont-be-afraid-of-ai-with-afua-bruce/id1436858854?i=1000650359713
If you don’t have a robust individual gifts program in the works, you’ve got bigger fish to fry than AI. Learn about my Big Ask Gifts Program right here and get on the waitlist for the next cohort happening soon!
