Most fundraisers are reporting ethical concerns around using artificial intelligence (AI) in their work, a report has found.

According to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) and University of York report, just over four in five of those already using AI have concerns, including cybersecurity risks, privacy and data breaches.

The proportion is smaller among those who do not use AI but similarly high, at just under three in four.

The research also found concerns around a lack of knowledge and training to use AI. More than three in four fundraisers say they lack knowledge about the technology.

Almost four in five who don’t currently use AI say there is a lack of practical AI skills in their organisation. This reduces to just over two in three among those using AI in fundraising but “it is nevertheless high”.

According to the research fundraisers are reporting nervousness that “naively” using AI “can do real damage” although they also have a “real desire and ambition to make fundraising tasks more efficient”.

“I feel like there is so much opportunity,” one fundraiser told researchers.

“But how you sort the wheat from the chaff, and how you find where are the things that can truly save you time, and how you embed like almost cultural change to ways of working?

“And how would I need to change and upskill my team? I don’t know any of that stuff. So I think we’re taking bits at a time, trying little, almost pilots, I guess, at this stage. But I feel like we’re miles behind. And I’m sure there are others who are far further ahead, and we could learn from.”

Just over half of fundraisers say they are not currently using AI and more than three in four see the technology as “an opportunity to be more efficient and reduce costs”. A similar proportion cite benefits of communicating more efficiently and more than three in five cite the chance to better understand their audiences.

ChatGPT is the least mentioned opportunity, cited by under one in ten.

The research also found that spending on AI is currently low among fundraising organisations. Just one in ten of those using AI in fundraising are spending more than £10,000 on the technology. Just over a third spend under £1,000.

Researchers point out that three in ten do dno know how much their organisation is spending on AI.

“A recurring theme in the report is the lack of trust and understanding surrounding AI,” said CIoF executive director of engagement Ceri Edwards.

“Fundraisers express concerns about ethical implications, data privacy, and the reliability of AI tools.”

He added: “The report underscores the need for self-regulation, charity-specific guidelines, and robust training programmes to foster responsible AI adoption.”

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