"One of the ways you build algorithms is to train them on data sets to recognise things – whether it’s visual recognition, or a data combination recognition – but because they learn by being trained on big data sets, they may include any biases, such as age, gender, and race, that were in those data sets, so the ethical point here is to understand how your model might be discriminating and to ensure therefore that any use of algorithms does not result in bias against particular groups of communities." ~Nigel Magson, Adroit Data & Insight

AI and Charity Ethics

What are the ethical principles that should be used by charities when developing or informing ethical AI policy? How can AI be deployed in the work of nonprofits in an ethically acceptable way?

Any technology is developed by humans with their own world views and biases. This leadas to risks of the same biases being incorporated in the algorithm. Discussing ethics, equity and transparency is increasingly important when it comes to AI. Most conversations about ethical AI are focused on developing principles to prevent risks, and most policies for ethical AI are being developed based on these discussions.

To keep AI in check, the following recommendations for ethical AI policy are suggested to charities:

• Professional associations like Association of Fundraising Professionals and Apra need to develop a guide on basic concepts for ethical implementation and use of AI in charities, along with an advocacy toolbox for ethical AI and AI policy for social good.
• Fundraising professionals need to advocate for responsible applications of AI that respect privacy and emphasize transparency
• Incorporate national ethical AI framework where it exists for vendor decisions and to protect donor’s privacy.
• Continued learning needed for prospect rtesearchers and fundraisers to understand issues of ethical AI.

These ethical AI recommendations might seem overwhelming at first, but they can help nonprofits to figure out what kind of policy is needed in the future of ethical AI.