Purpose and Scope
This policy provides a framework for the ethical and effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our nonprofit organization. It aligns AI initiatives with our mission and values while managing risks. AI offers opportunities to streamline operations, enhance donor engagement, and improve program delivery, but it also poses risks such as data privacy breaches and algorithmic bias. All staff, volunteers, and partners are expected to adhere to these guidelines to ensure our use of AI is responsible, lawful, and in service of our charitable purpose.
Ethical AI Use and Bias Mitigation
We commit to using AI in ways that uphold our core values of integrity, fairness, and inclusivity. All AI applications must align with our mission and avoid causing harm or discrimination.
- Mission Alignment: Use AI to advance our mission and support human expertise, not replace it.
- Fairness and Non-Discrimination: Proactively assess and mitigate biases in AI systems.
- Ethical Standards: Perform risk assessments before launching new AI projects, establishing clear guidelines.
- Accountability: Maintain human oversight for AI outcomes, ensuring responsibility and transparency.
Data Privacy, Security, and Compliance
Protecting personal data is paramount. We safeguard all data used in AI systems and comply with relevant laws and international standards.
- Data Protection: Apply anonymization, encryption, and strict access controls where applicable.
- Legal Compliance: Adhere to U.S. federal/state privacy laws and international regulations like GDPR.
- Privacy by Design: Integrate privacy considerations from the outset of AI development.
- Security Measures: Implement robust cybersecurity practices to prevent data breaches and adversarial attacks.
AI-Driven Decision-Making and Human Oversight
All AI-driven decisions require human review to guarantee accountability and accuracy.
- Human in the Loop: Incorporate human review for critical AI-driven processes.
- Clear Responsibilities: Assign roles for monitoring AI outputs and intervening if anomalies arise.
- Quality Assurance: Periodically audit AI outputs to keep them reliable and unbiased.
- Augmentation: Utilize AI to complement staff efforts, preserving the human dimension of our mission.
Transparency and Stakeholder Communication
We strive to be open about our AI usage to build trust among all stakeholders.
- Disclosure: Inform stakeholders when they interact with or are influenced by AI systems.
- Attribution: Clearly indicate AI-generated content to avoid confusion regarding authorship.
- Consent: Obtain informed consent before using personal data in AI processes.
- Openness: Communicate both successes and challenges, maintaining stakeholder confidence.
AI in Operational Efficiency and Service Delivery
We use AI to enhance operational efficiency while upholding our service standards.
- Process Automation: Automate repetitive tasks to free staff for value-added work.
- Program Enhancement: Employ AI to strengthen and personalize service delivery.
- Resource Optimization: Leverage AI analytics to better allocate resources.
- Quality Assurance: Monitor AI-influenced processes to ensure consistent service quality.
AI for Community Engagement and Fundraising
We apply AI to strengthen connections with donors, volunteers, and the broader community.
- Donor Outreach: Use AI insights for targeted, personalized donor communications.
- Enhanced Communication: Generate outreach materials with AI, then refine them for authenticity.
- Volunteer Engagement: Deploy AI chatbots to answer queries promptly and gather feedback.
- Fundraising Integrity: Employ AI for prospect research without compromising donor privacy.
Training and Responsible AI Adoption
We invest in thorough training and adopt AI gradually, maintaining continuous oversight.
- Training Programs: Regularly educate staff and volunteers on best practices and risk awareness.
- Pilot Projects: Introduce AI solutions in controlled phases, evaluating performance and impacts.
- Continuous Monitoring: Audit AI usage to ensure alignment with policies and stakeholder expectations.
- Policy Updates: Revise this policy as technology and regulations evolve, ensuring responsible AI use.