On May 21st, TPP’s Leadership and Governance division hosted a webinar focused on empowering non-profit organisations, charities, Boards, and their CEOs through the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). This session provided an in-depth exploration of how AI can enhance productivity and effectiveness within the sector. Featuring a panel of four specialist guests, with diverse experiences and expertise, the event shed light on the impact AI can have on charitable work.
The panel included:
Each panellist offered unique perspectives on how AI can transform the non-profit sector, providing valuable insights for organisations looking to integrate AI into their operations.
AI is clearly a revolutionary development in the world of work and poses both opportunities and potential challenges for businesses and employees. Rashik Parmar spoke to the importance of seeing AI as a necessity, one that shouldn’t replace employees, but enhance their work and capabilities, freeing up staff to focus on interventions and engagements that have greater impact on their beneficiaries and wider stakeholders. This is only possible, though, if it is approached with flexibility, and if AI is effectively leveraged.
Leveraging AI well would ensure that employees are safe from being replaced by those with enhanced AI skills and are able to utilise their capacity to continue to develop and enhance their practice. It is therefore imperative for organisations, staff, and leadership, to collectively embrace AI for the future proofing of their careers and sustainability of their companies in this new wave of technological advancements.
Building on the opportunities of AI, Paul Excell highlighted the opportunities AI presents for Boards and Trustees. AI can drive productivity via aiding fundraising efforts, supporting community services and supporting the communities’ charities serve, and assist staff. Excell outlined three key actions for Boards to consider, to adopt AI efficiently at the beginning of their digital transformation journey:
Alex Duncan emphasised the importance of building awareness about AI's impacts among all stakeholders.
Enhancing awareness of AI technologies for staff whilst creating an organisational narrative of excitement that communicates the endless creative opportunities that can be actualised by using AI technologies, should be a priority for leaders to guarantee a smooth reception of AI for staff.
Duncan suggested developing a roadmap for AI integration, which includes upskilling staff through external training and influencing boards to ensure AI's sustainability within the organisation. One particularly useful method suggested was to document use cases (i.e. ways in which the tech is being organically used within the organisation by staff) - helping to create an outline for charities and their workforce to describe how users can interact with AI technologies to help organisations achieve their goals, whist taking staff on a collaborative and exciting journey.
Paul Herbert focused on the leadership and workforce implications of AI’s adoption. Recognising the potential for polarising reactions—excitement versus fear—Herbert urged leaders to guide their teams with a clear roadmap and milestones. It cannot be overstated that the emergence of digital technologies in the broader economic context of rising inflation and a cost-of-living crisis has the capacity to create job insecurity and cause great concern for how employees engage with new technologies. Thus, approaching the introduction of AI technologies requires leaders to lead from the front. Ensuring staff that the adoption of AI is a collaborative process, as opposed to a process that is singular and void of their participation, is crucial. Leaving staff out of the adoption process ultimately serves an approach that heightens fear and anxiety.
Herbert also notes that AI democratises access to expertise, reducing the need to hire additional “tech people” – placing an emphasis on learning and development, upskilling current staff. This approach capitalises on the existing knowledge and understanding that the existing workforce possesses on the company’s culture, operations, and strategic goals, encouraging a smoother and more strategic integration of AI. Enhancing the operational efficiency and innovation of the company, whilst prioritising and building a versatile workforce who are given the tools to adapt and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven market. However, it is important to note that, although it is key that all staff should be trained on all things AI, it is key that organisations have a point of contact to lead on technological advancements at the company.
Check out Worklife’s article on "How Leadership Should Embrace AI in the Workforce" for further insight on Leadership’s role in a company’s AI journey.
The event provided several other takeaways for non-profits considering AI integration:
The importance of upholding good governance and policies for the integration and sustainability of AI cannot be overstated. Our speakers highlight 3 key points -
Compliance: Protecting your organisation’s legal, financial and reputation interests is imperative, thus your organisation must adhere to the relevant regulations and standards pertaining to the integration of AI with existing cybersecurity measures.
Another advantage of the integration of AI is the enhanced productivity it provides organisations. Through the automation of routine tasks, staff are granted the capacity to priorities strategic activities, using AI to inform leadership decisions through data-driven insights.
Finally, our panellists emphasised 4 essential factors organisations needed to start their AI journey –
At TPP Recruitment, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of new developments in the sector we support and work with. Our knowledge and experience in the non-profit sector enable us to understand the demands and changes within charities and non-profit organisations.
As such, we are skilled at recruiting digital specialists who are both technically competent and dedicated to leveraging their expertise to advance your strategic goals and mission.
We welcome enquiries on how we can best support your organisation in finding the best talent to sustainably navigate digital advancements at your company.
We take this opportunity to thank our guest panellists for offering their experience and expertise on AI, digital advancements, and the non-profit/charity sector.
To further support non-profits and charities in their AI journey, the following resources are recommended:
