This image by DALL-E 2 shows a robot and a philanthropist playing chess.

Researching AI and Charities

Research on the topic of AI and charities is nearly non-existent. Recently, there has been some movement and some work performed by organizations that develop AI-powered software for charities. This professional research is often focused on functionality of AI and how it can optimize fundraising processes.

The majority of the existing academic research examines AI in corporate and public spheres outside of the fundraising sector and speaks to the broader public policy and public governance. By looking at the AI policy research specifically, the absence of charities in the discourse becomes even more apparent. Yet, these findings are very relevant to nonprofits.

Fundraising professionals need to familiarize themselves with the latest research and can learn from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. There is a need to evaluate and minimize ethical issues that come with AI-powered technology. This could serve as a good starting point for future research on AI and charities.