ABSTRACT
The world is at the precipice of a power transformation fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). However, the social sector remains on the margins. Moreover, while the promises of the broader digital revolution – from greater opportunity to the eradication of poverty – fail to manifest, civil society and the communities they serve require both a partner and champion to bridge technology with social progress. As a collection of institutions of public trust, philanthropy is uniquely positioned to drive this transformation in collaboration with other stakeholders. Yet, the sector has taken a largely hesitant approach to technology adoption. AI has the potential to reinforce the philanthropic mission to serve humanity, boost operations, empower civil society to achieve significant impact, solve global challenges like climate change, and infuse human values into the AI ecosystem. The pathway to a tech-forward social sector requires new forms of partnership between philanthropy and civil society and broad commitments to learning and ethical practice. This chapter is structured in three parts. First, we engage in a historical and comprehensive review of philanthropy’s structural and organizational obstacles to digital transformation. Second, we analyze how foundations can drive digital transformation across the social sector, with concrete opportunities for impact at the unique intersection of AI and civil society action. Third, we present recommendations for organizations to harness AI toward building an ethical future rooted in equity, justice, and dignity. Overall, this chapter frames how philanthropy can play a key role in building not only ethical technologies but also a more ethical, AI-enabled future that centers on communities and prioritizes technological progress that serves humanity.
