A new UK charity task force has been launched, with the aim of championing the responsible, inclusive and collaborative use of AI across the social sector, for maximum impact and collective benefit.

Convened by CAST and Zoe Amar Digital, the Charity AI Task Force aims to provide the same level of recognition and support as the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce set up by the government in 2024.

CAST’s Director Dan Sutch explains that such collaboration is at the heart of the new collective’s mission: “At CAST, we have seen time and again the proven power of networks to effect real change. And we know there’s a real appetite for connection across the sector with regard to AI: almost three-quarters of respondents to CAST’s 2024 AI survey expressed a strong need to link up with peers to discuss AI. That’s why we feel it is vital at this point for social sector organisations - and the supporting infrastructure - to come together and navigate a path through the rapidly-changing AI landscape. We know that if we can share challenges, identify opportunities, foster partnerships and advocate for support as one unified voice, our presence and influence within this new technology will be strengthened beyond measure.”

The new task force is currently aligning around four key missions - although these are expected to evolve over time:

- Act as a collective voice for AI in the charity sector, making the case for support and partnerships, and leveraging our insights.

- Influence responsible, ethical (including environmentally friendly) and inclusive AI use in and outside the sector.

- Encourage collaboration between key groups i.e. funders, regulators, large and small charities, business and the public sector.

- Align efforts to ensure quicker/better support for the sector.

Explaining how this will work in practice, Zoe Amar outlined some of the practical steps that the task force is expected to take:

"Through the taskforce funders, small and large charities will unite to develop a coordinated approach to artificial intelligence.The charity sector possesses crucial insights into societal challenges that must inform the development of AI tools. Our immediate priority is responding to the government's AI plan, to help shape responsible innovation that truly serves communities."

The National Lottery Community Fund CEO David Knott added:

"Artificial intelligence is no longer a topic of the future or an operational matter for tomorrow - it is the defining strategic question of our time. As funders and civil society leaders, we have a responsibility - not just to understand AI but to ensure that it serves people and communities.

"The National Lottery Community Fund is proud to be a partner in this new taskforce —a coalition of funders, charities, and other partners dedicated to ensuring AI works for civil society. Coming together to collaborate across the sector to ensure AI works for communities, for everyone and not just the few, isn't just a choice - it's a moral imperative."

The Charity AI Task Force currently consists of more than 20 member organisations, including The National Lottery Community Fund, Lucy Faithfull Foundation, CharityComms, Access Social Care, Big Give, London Funders, King’s College London, Trust for London, The Care Workers Charity, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, Shelter, Charity Digital, TLC: Talk, Listen, Change and Neighbourly.

One of the first collective tasks will be to respond to the government’s newly-launched AI Opportunities Action Plan; details of this response will be released in due course.

For more information, please visit the Charity AI Task Force page of the CAST website.

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