Building responsible capabilities

When charities begin implementing artificial intelligence, conversations often focus heavily on risk mitigation and governance. Whilst these considerations matter deeply, our experience suggests that responsible AI use involves more than just protective measures—it requires building capabilities that help your organisation extend its impact thoughtfully and sustainably.

This chapter explores how charities can develop the structures, skills and shared understanding needed to use AI effectively. The activities here become relevant once your organisation has moved beyond initial experimentation and is ready to implement AI more systematically across its operations.

Creating shared foundations

Successful AI implementation relies on building common ground across your organisation. We've seen how technical teams, frontline workers and leadership can sometimes speak different languages when it comes to AI, creating unnecessary barriers. The activities in this chapter show how to develop shared vocabulary and understanding that bridges these gaps without oversimplifying important concepts.

This shared foundation helps staff engage confidently with AI tools while maintaining appropriate awareness of both opportunities and limitations. For example, when a domestic violence charity implemented AI-assisted case management, they first ensured all staff understood how the system would support (rather than replace) their professional judgment.

Building structured yet flexible approaches

Rather than treating AI as a separate technical initiative, these activities help embed it naturally into your existing workflows and governance structures. This includes practical guidance on developing appropriate policies, measuring impact, and selecting technology partners who understand charitable contexts.

We emphasise starting with clear use cases that solve real organisational needs. A food bank might begin by using AI to improve donation forecasting, while a mental health charity could focus on extending their helpline capacity through carefully implemented chat support. These focused applications often prove more valuable than trying to transform everything at once.

Leading through example

Leadership teams play a crucial role in modelling responsible AI use. This chapter shows how executives can demonstrate thoughtful engagement with AI tools while maintaining focus on charitable objectives. This might involve using AI to streamline board reporting processes or enhance impact measurement—showing practical applications that clearly support your mission.

Identifying future opportunities

As your charity develops these capabilities, you'll be better positioned to explore more sophisticated AI applications that could significantly extend your impact. The final sections of this chapter examine how to identify opportunities for custom AI solutions and share innovations across the sector.

We've found that charities who build these foundational capabilities thoughtfully often discover opportunities to use AI in ways that genuinely enhance their work. Rather than feeling constrained by responsible AI principles, they use these frameworks to guide innovation that serves their charitable objectives effectively.

The activities that follow provide practical steps for developing these capabilities in ways that work for your organisation's context and resources. Each section includes concrete examples and implementation guidance drawn from real experiences across the UK charitable sector.