AI, philanthropy, and the pitfalls of machine-controlled giving [Video]

AI is changing the way we create, work, and learn. Many fear it could even change the way we think. And while much has been made of how AI could affect education, the arts, and business, the impact of artificial intelligence on philanthropy is more of a second thought.

AI’s claim to free users from the tedium of work — what its makers consider “drudgery” — is a big selling point. In fact, it’s a core tenant of many “AI for good” initiatives. Developers pitch AI as a tool for expediency, automation, and equity within the world of nonprofits, which usually operate with tight budgets and small staffs. And many philanthropic leaders see AI as a life-changing investment for nonprofits at large, especially small, community-oriented organizations just trying to survive.

But we also know that society is facing a crisis of care, in which more and more people report intense feelings of hopelessness and apathy. Does adding human-less, digital …