What is the Charity AI Task Force?

The Charity AI Task Force is a collective of charities, funders and other partners, set up in February 2025 with the aim of ensuring that AI is safe, fair, and works for everyone. We focus on responsible AI use and making sure the voices of the UK charity sector are heard in order to champion and represent the communities we serve. We aim to develop a collaborative, responsible, inclusive approach to AI development which helps charities use these technologies to increase their impact, and ensures charities are in a position to shape the impacts of AI.

Who manages the Charity AI Task Force?

The task force is co-chaired by Dan Sutch (Director of CAST) and Zoe Amar (Founder of Zoe Amar Digital).

What is the purpose of the task force?

The task force is designed to:

  • Represent and support the UK charity sector in shaping the impacts of AI.
  • Guide charities on AI safe, fair, and ethical use, building the understanding and confidence of charities to make informed decisions about AI.
  • Listen to and work with different groups to ensure diverse and inclusive perspectives.
  • Develop, source and share practical recommendations, resources and efforts to support charities’ response to AI
  • Build partnerships, collaboration and knowledge sharing between charities, tech experts, government, and businesses.

Who is currently part of the collective?

The Charity AI Task Force currently consists of more than 20 member organisations, including The National Lottery Community Fund, SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations), Lucy Faithfull Foundation, CharityComms, Access Social Care, Big Give, London Funders, King’s College London, Trust for London, NCVO, Muslim Charities Forum, The Care Workers Charity, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, Shelter, Charity Digital, TLC: Talk, Listen, Change, Scope and Neighbourly.

How are applications to join the task force reviewed?

We welcome individuals and organisations who work within UK charities and social impact organisations, as well as those who support charities and are committed to making AI safe, fair, and ethical. To ensure inclusivity and efficiency, we follow a set of agreed principles when accepting new members, and are committed to ensuring open recruitment, diverse representation, fair selection, and a balanced membership model.

How can I apply to join the task force?

If you would like to become actively involved in the task force and / or its sub-groups (including Large Charities, Small Charities and Funders), please email [email protected] with information on your organisation and interest in joining.

How can I support or contribute to the task force?

We’re keen to build up a continuous picture of the needs, priorities and activities of the charity sector (and supporting organisations) with regard to AI, so that our work remains representative and timely. Please email us at [email protected] with details of any surveys, research findings, programmes, publications, or anything else you are working on related to AI that may be of interest - thank you!

How are you ensuring that all voices are heard and represented?

We want to hear from as many people as possible, especially charities, to inform the priorities and work of the task force. We’re already drawing on insights from the Charity Digital Skills Report, CAST’s AI survey, the Digital Leads Network, the AI in grantmaking peer group and CAST’s work with IVAR, alongside the many conversations with charities across the UK. Collectively this brings experiences of hundreds of charities to inform the work of the task force.

To hear from even more people and charities and ensure that reciprocity is at the heart of the task force, we will:

  • Run roundtables and focus groups with charities of all sizes.
  • Work with regional charity networks to reach smaller, local organisations.
  • Host online and offline sessions to share learning, and to generate feedback and insight.
  • Publish easy-to-read summaries of what we’ve heard.
  • Partner with charity umbrella groups like NCVO, ACF and ACEVO to reach more people.
  • Ensure we include a diverse range of charities, and offer different ways to take part.
  • Provide funding or resources to help smaller charities take part in consultations.

Are there any quotes about the task force that can be used in the public domain?

Please feel free to use these quotes, from the launch on 12th February 2025:

“At CAST, we have seen time and again the proven power of networks to effect real change. And we know there’s a real appetite for connection across the sector with regard to AI: almost three-quarters of respondents to CAST’s 2024 AI survey expressed a strong need to link up with peers to discuss AI. That’s why we feel it is vital at this point for social sector organisations - and the supporting infrastructure - to come together and navigate a path through the rapidly-changing AI landscape. We know that if we can share challenges, identify opportunities, foster partnerships and advocate for support as one unified voice, our presence and influence within this new technology will be strengthened beyond measure.” - Dan Sutch, Director of CAST

“Through the taskforce funders, small and large charities will unite to develop a coordinated approach to artificial intelligence.The charity sector possesses crucial insights into societal challenges that must inform the development of AI tools. Our immediate priority is responding to the government's AI plan, to help shape responsible innovation that truly serves communities." - Zoe Amar, Founder of Zoe Amar Digital

"Artificial intelligence is no longer a topic of the future or an operational matter for tomorrow - it is the defining strategic question of our time. As funders and civil society leaders, we have a responsibility - not just to understand AI but to ensure that it serves people and communities. The National Lottery Community Fund is proud to be a partner in this new taskforce —a coalition of funders, charities, and other partners dedicated to ensuring AI works for civil society. Coming together to collaborate across the sector to ensure AI works for communities, for everyone and not just the few, isn't just a choice - it's a moral imperative." - David Knott, CEO of The National Lottery Community Fund

You can also find an article detailing the AI funder event at which the task force was launched here.

What is the group’s current priority?

We have been working on putting together a collective response to the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which we aim to send by the end of March. Beyond this, we are continuing to gather insights and develop our collective approach to inclusive AI responses.

What is the group’s response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan?

As of February 2025, the Charity AI Task Force is working to deliver a collective response to the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan; details will be released in due course.

How can I sign up for updates?

We will send out occasional updates on the task force; to be added to the mailing list for these, please contact [email protected]. You may also like to sign up to receive the free newsletters from CAST and Zoe Amar Digital, as these will include updates on the task force when relevant.