A new ‘charity AI task force’, with the aim of championing more responsible, inclusive and collaborative uses of artificial intelligence (AI) across the charity sector, has been launched today at an event in London.
Convened by the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST) and digital and AI consultancy Zoe Amar Digital, the new Charity AI Task Force aims to provide the same level of recognition and support as the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce set up by the previous Conservative government in 2024.
The event where the new initiative was unveiled was organised by CAST and the National Lottery Community Fund, and was designed to support more collaboration among funders engaging with AI.
The announcement comes at a time when AI remains somewhat controversial in the sector, with the Charity Commission's CEO recently expressing concern about AI-generated applications received by the regulator.
New task force focusing on four key missions
The new task force is presently aligning around four key missions – although these are expected to evolve over time.
Its first mission is to act as a collective voice for AI in the charity sector, while its second mission focuses on influencing responsible, ethical and inclusive use of the technology within and outside of the sector.
Its third and fourth missions focus on 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.
The task force currently consists of more than 20 member organisations, 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.
One of its first collective tasks will be to respond to the government’s newly launched AI Opportunities Action Plan.
NLCF boss: AI is ‘defining strategic question of our time’
At today’s launch event, National Lottery Community Fund CEO David Knott said: “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.
“The National Lottery Community Fund is proud to be a partner in this new task force, which is a coalition of funders, charities, and other partners dedicated to ensuring AI works for civil society.
“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."
