A groundbreaking initiative has been launched in the UK charity sector with the establishment of the Charity AI Task Force, co-led by the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST) and digital and AI consultancy Zoe Amar Digital. This collective effort brings together over 20 leading organizations, including the National Lottery Community Fund, Access Social Care, Big Give, London Funders, King’s College London, Trust for London, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, Shelter, Charity Digital, and TLC: Talk, Listen, Change, to democratize AI in the charity sector and ensure that its benefits are accessible to those who need them most.
The task force aims to champion more responsible, inclusive, and collaborative uses of artificial intelligence across the charity sector. It is aligning around four key missions: acting as a collective voice for AI in the charity sector, influencing responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI use within and outside the sector, encouraging collaboration between key groups such as funders, regulators, large and small charities, and businesses, and aligning efforts to ensure quicker support for the sector.
According to David Knott, CEO of the National Lottery Community Fund, “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.”
One of the first collective tasks of the task force will be to respond to the government’s newly-launched AI Opportunities Action Plan. This initiative underscores the importance of collective action in navigating the rapidly changing AI landscape to ensure that AI works for communities, for everyone, and not just the few.
Dan Sutch, Director of CAST, stated “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.”
In a groundbreaking move for the charity sector, the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST) and digital and AI consultancy Zoe Amar Digital have joined forces with over 20 prominent organisations to launch the Charity AI Task Force. This collaborative effort includes major players like the National Lottery Community Fund and CharityComms, working together to guarantee artificial intelligence benefits everyone in our communities.
The charity sector can’t afford to fall behind in the rapidly changing AI landscape. Focusing on essential human-centered design will guide implementation strategies. This task force, co-chaired by Dan Sutch from CAST and Zoe Amar, aims to take action by initially responding to the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, ensuring the social sector’s voice is heard loud and clear. The initiative also aligns with the government’s recent investment of £32 million in AI innovations to enhance public services.
According to David Knott, chief executive of the National Lottery Community Fund, “Artificial intelligence is no longer a topic of the future or an operational matter for tomorrow – it’s the defining strategic question of our time. As funders and civil society leaders, we’ve a responsibility – not just to understand AI but to ensure that it serves people and communities. 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 task force is committed to doing AI right by focusing on the responsible, ethical, and inclusive use of AI within and outside the sector. They’re bringing together funders, regulators, charities, and public sector organisations to tackle AI challenges collectively.
This initiative is special due to its focus on practical results. The task force aims to speed up support for charities adopting AI and ensure these powerful tools serve people and communities, not just a select few. They’re working to match the recognition level of the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce, which means more resources and support for the charity sector.
According to Dan Sutch, director of CAST, “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 charity sector is at a turning point where AI could either widen or close social gaps.
