In this article series, Sean Williams, founder and chief executive of AutogenAI helps to breakdown what artificial intelligence means for the charity sector.

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AI is a branch of computer science dedicated to creating machines capable of performing tasks that historically have relied upon human intelligence.

It encompasses a broad range of technologies and multiple fields of study.

It’s being widely discussed due to the advent of ‘generative artificial intelligence,’ something that holds significant implications for the charity sector.

We are used to computers adding up faster than we do. We now have machines that can do the same with the written word.

Generative AI speeds up any work that involves reading and writing. It therefore impacts fundraising, communication, reporting, research, direct services, and writing funding proposals and applications.

This profound technical and social breakthrough is going to affect every field of human endeavour that involves reading and writing in the same way that the internet changed the way we communicate.

We're currently at the 1995 stage of the internet when it comes to generative AI. There’s a lot of buzz, but it doesn't seem to be accomplishing much.

If you were a travel agent in 1995, you could have convincingly believed that the internet wouldn't impact your industry but by 2005, your business would have been completely obsolete.

How good are computers at reading and writing? Well, modern AI systems perform better than 90% of humans at college-level History, Psychology and English Literature exams.
They perform better than 80% of humans at verbal reasoning exams. And computers perform these feats tens of thousands of times faster than a human can.

A lot is written about how technology can exacerbate the gap between the rich and poor.
This can be true, but technology has also been an incredible leveller in human society: the printing press made knowledge massively more accessible; mobile phone technologies have given communities access to banking and education; and the internet has democratised information and allowed marginalised groups to connect and campaign.

AI is a powerful tool, and, like all tools, can be used for good and bad. While it is important to be cautious about potential risks, it is equally important to explore the potential benefits it can bring - and this is doubly true for the most disadvantaged in society.

AI has the potential to revolutionise many sectors, including healthcare, education and care. Serving the neediest in society means catalysing that revolution.

Charities seeking to adopt AI safely and efficiently should start by educating their staff and stakeholders about it. This includes understanding both the capabilities and limitations of the technologies.

Begin with small-scale initiatives or pilot projects. It is crucial to select the appropriate tools, as there are many available, but not all of them are suitable. Several free public tools are insecure and violate data protection obligations. Creating an AI ethics framework and guidelines tailored to your operations and mission is paramount to protect your organisation.

Once adopted, organisations should monitor and evaluate their use of AI to ensure that they are moving quickly, wisely, and in a manner that genuinely advances their mission.
It’s essential that charities look forward and keep an eye on the most exciting digital trends so that they stay ahead of the curve and remain relevant. Otherwise, like that 2005 travel agent, they too risk becoming obsolete.

Sean Williams is the Founder and Chief Executive of AutogenAI. He was chief executive of Corndel Ltd, and has worked in research, policy, business development and operational management for some of the largest, most successful public service providers in the UK.

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