As the world witnesses unprecedented growth in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, it’s essential to consider the potential risks and challenges associated with their widespread adoption. AI is being touted as a great capacity saving platform for the Charity sector, and we all know the issues we have around resource and just having too much to do within a limited time frame.

However, the application of AI needs some serious thought and can lead to a raft of issues if not sourced or applied correctly.

The first issue is one of Transparency: Lack of transparency in AI systems, particularly in deep learning models that can be complex and difficult to interpret, is a pressing concern. This opaqueness obscures the decision-making processes and underlying logic of these technologies. When people are unable to comprehend how an AI system arrives at its conclusions, it can lead to distrust and resistance to adopting these technologies.

Bias and discrimination: AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate or amplify societal biases due to biased training data or algorithmic design. To minimize discrimination and ensure fairness, it is crucial to invest in the development of unbiased algorithms and diverse training data sets.

Privacy: AI technologies often collect and analyse large amounts of personal data, raising issues related to data privacy and security. To mitigate privacy risks, organisations need to be clear of the risk and impact.

The Art of the Ethical: Instilling moral and ethical values in AI systems, especially in decision-making contexts with significant consequences, presents a considerable challenge. Researchers and developers must prioritize the ethical implications of AI technologies to avoid negative societal impacts.

Security: As AI technologies become increasingly sophisticated, the security risks associated with their use and the potential for misuse also increase. Hackers and malicious actors can harness the power of AI to develop more advanced cyberattacks, bypass security measures, and exploit vulnerabilities in systems. The rise of AI-driven autonomous weaponry also raises concerns about the dangers of rogue states or non- state actors using this technology — especially when we consider the potential loss of human control in critical decision-making processes. To mitigate these security risks, governments and organizations need to develop best practices for secure AI development and deployment and foster international cooperation to establish global norms and regulations that protect against AI security threats.

Job displacement: AI-driven automation has the potential to lead to job losses across various industries, particularly for low-skilled workers (although there is evidence that AI and other emerging technologies will create more jobs than it eliminates). As AI technologies continue to develop and become more efficient, the workforce must adapt and acquire new skills to remain relevant in the changing landscape.

AI can clearly be a power for good if used correctly and appropriately. However, early adoption for early adoptions sake may not always be the best path to follow. There’s a multitude of articles in the public domain about AI, and how useful it is. There is also plenty casting doubt on AI, especially if sourced and used inappropriately. Ultimately, and in our world, a decision about its use will come from Trustee Boards. Its not a decision to be taken lightly. If you are thinking about AI for your organisation, seek as much advice as you can, and from as many different sources as you can. Information about digital poverty can be found here