As a professional adviser to the Scottish charity sector, I have been contemplating the necessary governance safeguards organisations need to adopt to effectively harness Artificial Intelligence (AI). The increasing integration of AI into various software platforms has become impossible to ignore. I believe it is now essential for organisations to agree their position on AI and proactively grapple with its potential advantages and risks, putting in place appropriate safeguards.
The UK Government has demonstrated a strong commitment to AI through the establishment of the Office for Artificial Intelligence and the publication of the National AI Strategy. This strategy outlines the country’s comprehensive plan to leverage AI for economic growth and societal benefit.
AI’s potential applications are vast and ever-evolving, from predicting the weather better than your local meteorologist to writing poetry that could put Rabbie Burns to shame.
AI tools are now readily accessible to most people with online access and appear to be marketed relentlessly.
However, the environmental impact of AI is significant. The substantial energy consumption required to power AI systems contributes to a larger carbon footprint. Therefore, we must carefully weigh the benefits of AI against the ecological costs. Investing in renewable energy sources or optimising the efficiency of AI algorithms are potential steps to mitigate its environmental impact. However, for environmental charities, in particular, the question arises whether the use of AI contradicts their purposes or if the benefits can justify its adoption. For this I am thinking that the development of a ‘Ethical AI Policy’ will be required, similar to the ‘Ethical Investment Policy’ many of us are already familiar with.
Organisations should agree on, and document, their permitted AI platform(s), ensuring each platform meets acceptable privacy, security, and data ownership standards.
Charity Boards have to be transparent and accountable – they are the ultimate decision makers, AI that is used for automated decision making should have the ability to show its decision making process.
If staff members are already using AI in their daily work (bear in mind that they may currently do so without your knowledge!), establishing an employee policy on AI usage is necessary. Include information about permitted and prohibited uses of AI, if relevant. For example, should AI be used mindfully considering the environmental impact.
Additionally, organisations should consider when data anonymisation is required and reflect this in their policies.
Reviewing and updating Data Protection Policies will be imperative. The ICO has produced guidance in relation to Data Protection and AI.
Online meetings now often utilise AI to transcribe discussions and produce minutes or summaries. This practice can save time and resources, but organisations should:
- Agree and document the decision to use the technology, considering any risks.
- Verify the AI platform’s privacy, security, and data ownership policies.
- Inform meeting attendees at the start of each meeting of the use of the technology (standing agenda item).
- Ensure accuracy by reviewing the produced minutes.
- Destroy any recordings and/or verbatim transcriptions once the minutes are prepared.
AI tools are also being used to assist with grant applications. There are numerous AI grant writing and matching tools available online. The National Lottery Community Fund has recently published guidance on using AI for funding applications and published its own approach to using AI to benefit people and communities.
If using AI for grant applications make sure that the application still reflects the culture, personality, and voice of the organisation and is authentic.
Bear in mind that to rely on AI you need to already have an understanding of the subject. AI should be viewed as an enhancement, not a replacement. AI should be fact (and nonsense) checked.
It is important to note that this discussion does not cover all the ways AI might be harnessed, which would require a much longer article! Hopefully, this serves as a useful starter for organisations to think about their position on AI and the development of an Organisational AI Policy.
In conclusion, while AI offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency and resource optimisation, it is crucial for organisations to approach its implementation with careful consideration and due diligence. By thoroughly reviewing and updating data protection policies, verifying the privacy and security measures of AI platforms, and maintaining the integrity and authenticity of their outputs, organisations can harness the power of AI effectively while mitigating potential risks.