What Do Nonprofit Fundraisers Need to Know About AI

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Karen Boyd, Ph.D., Economist and Director of Research at the Policy and Innovation Center, and discuss the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and fundraising. She highlights the rapid advancements in AI technologies, emphasizing their potential to augment rather than replace human fundraisers. Addressing concerns around AI's capabilities and limitations, Boyd stresses the importance of understanding that AI tools are built on human-generated data, which inherently carries biases. She advocates for ethical use, urging fundraisers to leverage AI for tasks like initial draft writing and data analysis, thus freeing up time for more personalized donor interactions. Boyd underscores the concept of "moral imagination" as crucial in philanthropy, distinguishing human abilities from AI's computational processes. She discusses practical strategies for nonprofits, including careful consideration of AI's impact on donor privacy and the ethical implications of using AI-driven donor prospecting algorithms. Boyd encourages organizations to align AI policies with their missions to ensure transparency and ethical use of data. Ultimately, she positions AI as a powerful tool for enhancing efficiency in fundraising operations while reinforcing the irreplaceable role of human empathy and creativity in building meaningful donor relationships.