The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland is committed to supporting communities, driving inclusion, improving well-being, and transforming their approach to funding practice.
As part of their ongoing efforts to better serve their mission and vision, they are embracing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their impact, improve efficiency, and build even better connections with their applicants, grantees, donors and funders.
They see the value in using digital technology to enable them, and others, to do other things better.
AI has many benefits, as well as some concerns and challenges. For this reason, they have provided some guidance around availing of AI if you are using AI to complete their funding applications.
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland state that they are not experts and know how fast this space is evolving. They will continue to be mindful of the pace of change and update their position as and when appropriate.
Use of AI to support funding applications
Their position on the use of AI to write funding and/or job applications
If you are using AI to support your applications, they recommend that you do not over rely on this when forming your responses to their questions.
They suggest that you consider the following:
- Use carefully and mindfully
- Do not upload anything that is personal data through any AI tools
- Always ensure your responses are in your own words
- Understand what you’re saying in your responses and make sure you know exactly what you’re applying for and why (you may be asked)
- Ensure you have locally based evidence and/or case studies to support your requests – everything they fund should come from a locally based perspective and/or need
- Ensure accuracy of anything generated by AI. Check websites and review data in more detail – do not assume everything is accurate – it may not be
- Bear in mind the huge energy costs and environmental impact in using AI
They are excited to see what opportunities may arise from the use of AI, and hope to further develop activities that can help communities to avail of these opportunities, as well as mitigate any risks or challenges there may be.
Their Use of Artificial Intelligence
By integrating AI into their work, they aim to:
- Streamline administrative tasks,
- Enhance their grant making and impact measurement, and
- Gain deeper insights
The Community Foundation recognises that their responsible use of AI is vital to their success. As such, they are committed to openness and transparency and ensuring that they follow ethical practices.
They will continue to ensure that their work is led by human judgment, and with lived experience at the heart of all of decision making. Their journey will evolve as AI evolves, but they will continue to be led by their values of being passionate and ambitious in all that they do, working with integrity always.
You can read the full update here.
