This is a living library of resources that we hope will support you as you explore the challenges and opportunities associated with AI. We’ll add to this section regularly; if there is anything you would particularly like to see added, or anything you need support with, please contact us at [email protected] - thank you! And if you'd like be amongst the first to hear about new AI events, opportunities and resources as they arise, please sign up to our free newsletter.

Support offered by CAST:

Getting Started With AI: a self-serve course
If you’re keen to get to grips with AI but not sure where to start, our free self-serve course is here to help! Every week for seven weeks, you'll receive an email with a guided activity, designed to help you comfortably familiarise yourself with AI - and discover the ways in which it can help make your work life easier. Sign up for the free AI self-serve course here.

New AI mini series: three free workshops for charities
Join us for three 90-minute sessions designed to help you begin experimenting safely, responsibly - and enjoyably! - with AI. Beginning with an introductory session in May, we'll then move on in June to explore ways in which to make the most of AI, and wrap up in July with a look at AI in service delivery. You can attend one or more of the workshops, depending on which topics most interest you. Sign up for your chosen AI workshop/s here.

AI for Digital Leads Peer Group
The Digital Leads Network is a vibrant community of over 250 members, dedicated to sharing knowledge, fostering best practice and peer-to-peer learning in the UK charity sector. The network offers a range of resources and learning opportunities, including access to a new AI Peer group, bringing digital leads together to explore the opportunities and challenges of AI across the sector. The network is free to join; if you are interested in becoming involved, please fill out the expression of interest form.

AI for Grantmakers - peer group
An opportunity for funders of all sizes to come together and explore the opportunities and challenges of AI. The group - which consists of over 200 people from more than 150 Trusts and Foundations - is open to all UK funders, of any size. Meetings take place every six weeks; find out more at the AI for Grantmakers page - or fill in this short form to express your interest in joining.

Charity AI Task Force
A task force convened by CAST and Zoe Amar Digital, designed to champion the responsible, inclusive and collaborative use of AI across the social sector, for maximum impact and collective benefit. Find out more at the Charity AI Task Force page.

Event: CAST's AI survey results - and associated support opportunities
Please join us on Wednesday 30th April at 11am, as we explore the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the ways in which nonprofits are engaging with AI. We'll also spotlight some of the most useful emerging support to help the sector build confidence and use AI responsibly. Book your free place at the CAST AI survey event here.

Safe experiments with AI
We're currently supporting a number of organisations to safely experiment with AI, either through internal peer groups or working with specific teams. If you're interested in this support please contact [email protected].

Blogs and reflections
Check out our latest content on AI:

Shared Digital Guides
Our Shared Digital Guides platform contains step-by-step Guides to handy ways of using digital tools, written by charities, for charities. There are more than 80 Guides in total, covering a wide range of topics; take a look at the AI Guides as below:

If you would like to suggest a topic or contribute a Guide, we’d love to hear from you; please get in touch via the Shared Digital Guides site.

AI experimentation canvas
We’ve developed a simple AI experimentation canvas, which helps us think through any use of GenAI. As the test or practice becomes bigger, we might use a more detailed version to document and think through the approach. Download the canvas for yourself: we’ve got a Miro version that is easy to edit, and printable versions if Post-its and Sharpies are your style.

AI perspectives visual
We've been using a new diagram as a basis for contextualising the different perspectives at play when thinking - and talking - about Generative AI (GenAI). Incorporating four key elements - Efficiencies within existing workflows; New processes & ways of working; Changes to mission and Context change - we have found that the diagram can be useful when starting or guiding discussions around the full scale of opportunities and challenges presented by GenAI. Take a look at Dan Sutch's blog for more information and the full AI perspectives visual.

Other resources that we recommend:

Just some of the other organisations working in the AI / charity sector space:

If you have a resource, event or organisation to add to this list, please contact us at [email protected] - thank you!