Governance and risk
As artificial intelligence becomes more accessible and useful for charitable organisations, establishing thoughtful governance practices helps ensure AI supports rather than hinders your mission. This pathway provides practical steps for developing responsible AI practices that protect your stakeholders while enabling innovation.
Pathway Steps
Conduct impact assessments
Conduct comprehensive impact assessments when integrating AI into charitable organizations. Consider effects on beneficiaries, staff, resources, and external partners. Establish baseline measurements, examine externalities, and build on existing work. Use assessments to make evidence-based decisions, plan for changes, and set realistic expectations. Review regularly to ensure AI serves your mission effectively.
Create AI governance knowledge stream
Develop a reliable AI governance knowledge stream. Focus on external experiences and trusted sources relevant to your charity's context. Curate and share valuable insights with colleagues regularly. Appoint someone to manage information flow. Document lessons learned from similar organizations to inform better AI implementation decisions.
Develop AI ethics guidelines
Develop AI ethics guidelines that balance opportunities and risks for charities. Create a working group to gather input and define principles aligned with your mission. Establish frameworks for evaluating AI implementations, including processes for monitoring, feedback, and addressing concerns. Regularly review and update guidelines to ensure responsible AI adoption.
Implement data governance policies
Implement comprehensive data governance policies for AI adoption in charities. Build on existing frameworks, protect stakeholders, and involve cross-functional teams. Encourage self-managed learning, address AI-specific considerations, and conduct regular policy reviews. Create a structure that balances innovation with trust and regulatory compliance.
Document AI system information
Document AI systems efficiently, balancing essential information with practicality. Focus on safety protocols and key technical aspects. Avoid excessive detail. Regularly review and update documentation, prioritizing valuable and stable information. Ensure adaptability to maintain relevance and usefulness in the charity's AI implementation.
Integrate RAI considerations into the AI development lifecycle
Integrate Responsible AI principles throughout the AI development lifecycle. Create an assessment checklist, map stakeholders, and implement practical steps in planning, development, and deployment phases. Establish monitoring systems, address common challenges, and maintain transparent documentation to ensure ethical and sustainable AI implementation.
Identify measure mitigate and monitor AI risks
Implement a mission-focused approach to AI risk management in charities. Map risks based on mission impact and likelihood. Prioritize beneficiary outcomes in monitoring. Develop mitigation strategies that align with and strengthen charitable objectives. Regularly review and adjust measures based on real-world impact.
Document AI decisions and practices for auditability
Implement robust documentation practices for AI decisions and systems. Create standardized templates, use version control, record stakeholder engagement, and maintain comprehensive risk assessments. This approach enhances transparency, supports knowledge transfer, and prepares organizations for future regulatory requirements while demonstrating responsible AI use to stakeholders.
Establish an AI ethics board or committee
Establish an AI ethics board with diverse representation from leadership, technical experts, beneficiaries, and external advisors. Create structured processes for regular meetings and working groups. Define clear responsibilities and decision-making authority. Implement practical considerations for ongoing effectiveness and accountability. Regularly evaluate and refine the committee's structure and impact.
Risk assessment with affected stakeholders
Conduct iterative risk assessments with affected stakeholders. Create safe spaces for open dialogue with beneficiaries, staff, and support teams. Facilitate workshops to explore cascading effects across the organization. Document insights, create a living risk register, and establish clear escalation triggers. Maintain regular reviews and rotate participants to ensure fresh perspectives.
Get some support to implement the action plan
As a team we've decades of experience in the charity sector. We've worked both in-house and agency side. Having worked for a diverse range of charities [insert the many names] we understand the unique challenges the sector is facing.
Get in touch