AI is reshaping every sector, yet the promise of innovation often outpaces genuine progress. How can social impact leaders take steps to implement AI while ensuring that the technology is the right solution for pressing challenges, strengthening partnerships, and supporting their communities?
Our panel explored these questions, highlighting practical approaches, lessons learned, and examples of AI being used safely and effectively to create meaningful impact.
Our amazing speakers -
Nisha Kadaba - Director of Global Impact at PagerDuty
Camila Cano Shor - Strategic Relations Manager at Violetta
Jared Chung - Founder & Executive Director at CareerVillage.org
Jim Fruchterman - Founder & CEO at Tech Matters
Event Key Takeaways
1) Approaches to Mission-Driven AI Adoption
Effective AI adoption starts with clarity of mission and the real problems you're solving. Observe what works across the sector, experiment thoughtfully, and build only when tools advance your mission.
Do what makes sense. Don't use AI for AI's sake. Prioritize needs that ladder up to your mission.
Learn from the field. Observe others, try it out, adopt what works. Start small and iterate.
Lead with data, not the tool. Start with quality data from experts, research, and real users.
Prioritize safety and accuracy, especially when serving vulnerable communities. Set clear guardrails against persuasive but incorrect outputs.
2) How Funders Can Support Nonprofits' AI Journey
Get started even without all the details! Nonprofits need resources and space for safe experimentation. Funders can help by providing:
Unrestricted, long-term, and risk-tolerant funding with room for iteration.
In-kind technical resources (cloud infrastructure, engineers, AI experts).
Capacity-building programs that build long-term resilience and tech infrastructure.
Focus on practical questions about accountability and oversight rather than debating frameworks.
3) Collaboration and Ethical Leadership
The social impact sector is uniquely positioned to model responsible AI adoption. With deep commitments to ethics, community trust, and responsible data use, nonprofits and funders can set the precedent for how AI serves people and mission—championing thoughtful data stewardship, community wellbeing, and values-aligned governance that other sectors can follow.
““Regardless of whether you’re using AI to improve operations or develop a new product, you don’t learn how to ride a bike on a Powerpoint slide.”
“Use AI as a means to an end, not an end itself.”
“As nonprofits consider steps around data and systems towards responsible AI, we as funders can think about how we can help build that readiness.”
“Think problem-first, not tech-first. Don’t run around with AI hammers looking for AI nails”
Resources mentioned:
Jared Chung, Why Funders Freeze on AI https://cep.org/blog/why-funders-freeze-on-ai-and-how-to-break-the-paralysis/
Jim Fruchterman, Technology for Good: https://fruchterman.org/book/
Nisha Kadaba, PagerDuty Impact Accelerator: https://www.pagerduty.com/impact-hub/philanthropic-investments/
Camila Cano Shor, Violetta: https://holasoyvioletta.com/