The impact of technology on our world is massive, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) leading the way in this transformation. However, the effect of AI can be both positive and negative, depending on how it’s designed, developed, and used.
The rise of Generative AI has unlocked even more opportunities across various sectors globally. Since 2018, it’s become clear that AI can not only boost productivity and economic growth but also contribute to social good.
AI for Social Good in Real Life The nonprofit sector is at the forefront of using AI to create positive change and advance digital transformation. According to last year’s Charity Digital Skills report, 35% of charities were already using AI for certain tasks.
Generative AI has been particularly important in helping charities create innovative solutions, with many forward-thinking organizations using it to make their services more inclusive for people with specific accessibility needs.
Here are three examples of how AI is being used for social good:
- Personalized, Inclusive, and Engaging Experiences
The National Museum of Computing, home to the world’s largest collection of functional historic computers, including Enigma and Colossus, welcomes visitors from all over the world. The museum has developed an AI-driven app, TNMOC Mate, which helps visitors navigate the museum at their own pace. This app is designed to assist people whose first language isn’t English, neurodivergent visitors, and children by turning the exhibit descriptions into easy-to-understand text. It can be read or listened to in a preferred language, making the experience more personalized and enjoyable for everyone. - Leveling the Playing Field
Dyslexia Association Ireland teamed up with Version 1 to create Simplitext, a Generative AI tool designed to help people with dyslexia and other learning disabilities better understand content. The tool simplifies text without losing its key meaning, which is especially helpful for students dealing with complex academic materials like scientific papers. This gives individuals with dyslexia more confidence in educational and professional settings. - Improving Global Access to Essential Knowledge
Encephalitis, a brain inflammation caused by infection or an autoimmune response, affects about 1.5 million people each year. Encephalitis International is using AI to help people stay informed about the condition, which can have life-threatening effects on cognitive abilities, memory, and the ability to read or write. They’ve developed an AI tool to provide accurate, up-to-date information about encephalitis in different languages and at varying levels of complexity. This tool ensures that people around the world can access crucial information based on their language and understanding. AI also helps the charity reduce costs and free up staff time to focus on providing direct support.
Challenges in Using AI for Social Good As AI continues to evolve, it’s essential to address the ethical implications of its use, especially in the nonprofit sector. Here are some key considerations when using AI for social good:
- Data Privacy
AI systems require vast amounts of personal data to function effectively, but this raises concerns about data misuse. It’s crucial to implement strong privacy protections, maintain transparency about data usage, and ensure unauthorized access is prevented. AI tools like TNMOC Mate don’t store any personal data, only the user’s preferred language and age group. - Avoiding Bias
While AI can help eliminate human bias in decision-making, it can also reinforce biases if it’s trained on biased data. Historically, AI models have left out minorities, resulting in a lack of diversity. To avoid this, it’s essential to use diverse and representative datasets when building AI systems. Collecting feedback from users also helps improve the model’s accuracy and reduce bias. - Measuring Accessibility
Feedback is crucial in ensuring that AI tools are accessible and inclusive. Testing and gathering input from end users during development is essential to guarantee that the tool meets their needs and improves inclusivity. - Regulations and Compliance
When new regulations, like GDPR, are introduced, nonprofits may find them challenging but also necessary to comply with. It’s essential to be agile and adapt to new rules quickly. Technology vendors should consider data security in their design and be ready to respond to evolving regulations. - Maintaining a Human Touch
AI should support, not replace, the human element of charities. AI can help organizations become more impactful, but the personal connection that charities offer is what makes them special. Implementing AI tools should not replace human understanding, especially for those with unique needs. - Lack of Resources
While more organizations are exploring AI, fully integrating it can be expensive and time-consuming, requiring specialized skills that many nonprofits lack. A good way to overcome this is by partnering with technology vendors who can provide the necessary expertise and support.
Despite the challenges, AI should be seen as an enabler, not a threat. With the right partnerships, ethical practices, and user-centered development, AI can lead to better outcomes and a more equitable future for everyone.
