“Don’t be scared, don’t be alone, don’t wait”: Practical tips for grantmakers to start funding around AI

The future arrives fast. Technologies that not long ago seemed like science fiction are now our everyday life. People turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots for everything from marriage guidance to tarot readings. AI systems decide who gets a loan, job and healthcare. And once established careers suddenly vanish overnight.

These changes accumulate into profound shifts and new challenges across our economies, politics and social fabric. The UN estimates that more than half of jobs in Europe and Central Asia are potentially exposed to the impacts of Generative AI with women three times more affected than men, reshaping the future of work and gender equality. AI generated content is becoming normalised in elections, changing the nature of our democratic processes. And electricity consumption for the data centres that power AI is expected to double by 2030, leading to a 10% increase in global power sector emissions over the next decade and jeopardising climate action.

Even for funders that don’t focus on technology, these changes cannot be ignored. Many foundations are starting to get to grips with what AI means for them operationally. But we have a larger responsibility to adapt our programmatic priorities to reflect the realities of this transformation on the people we serve. Now is when philanthropy can actively shape the trajectory of AI so that these technologies can benefit everyone in society, and not just the companies that build the products.

This can seem a daunting prospect. AI moves at the speed of AI, while philanthropy moves at the speed of… well, philanthropy. How AI works and who benefits from it is obscured by technical jargon. And discussions around AI governance can seem impenetrably complex. But from five years’ experience funding at the intersection of AI and society in Europe, the European AI & Society Fund has some practical tips to help funders that want their grantmaking to keep up with this fast-moving challenge and align with their goals.

Firstly, don’t be scared. All grantmaking is AI grantmaking, you just haven’t seen it yet. Just as the political, economic and environmental context shapes funders’ missions, so does technology. So you don’t need to think of AI as a separate issue where you need to start afresh, but can consider the work you already do through a technology lens. For instance, a funder with a mission around youth mental health might explore the impact of AI chatbots. A foundation focused on climate could address emissions from data centre expansion. Most likely, the groups you currently support are already experiencing the impacts of AI, and you can ask them what questions they would like to address.

More than half of the European AI & Society Fund’s grantees are social and environmental justice groups doing just that. For instance, BLAM UK looks at how police use of AI can increase racial profiling of black communities in London; the European Disability Forum works for EU AI legislation to have accessibility requirements; and Health Action International speaks up for patients when AI is introduced into healthcare systems. In our open calls for funding, we see the breadth and depth of interest in AI from civil society groups across Europe growing every year, so there is plenty of work out there that’s ready to be supported. You just need to be brave enough to look.

Secondly, don’t be alone. As funders, we need to meet the AI moment together, learning from one another and collaborating strategically and effectively to make sure AI is working for our common interest. Together with Ariadne Network, the European AI & Society Fund offers funders’ briefings on key topics to help grantmakers get up to speed on everything from AI and welfare to Europe’s tech sovereignty debate. And there are many other formal and informal networks for funders to share strategies and opportunities.

We consistently find that when people come together to discuss these questions, they are ready to be open about the challenges of funding in an emergent area and willing to help one another to solve problems. Through these conversations, you can understand   how the perspective and the mission of your foundation can contribute to a broader change and complement the work of others.

And finally, don’t wait. Europe has been spooked by its dependence on US technology and is looking for a new, sovereign approach to AI. This gives European philanthropy a unique opportunity to shift the AI trajectory and ensure that the potential of innovation is turned towards serving the interests of people, society and planet. If we don’t act, we risk cementing the current AI paradigm – one that primarily serves the interests of a handful of billionaires and not the broader interests of people, society and the planet.

In the companion piece to this article, Helena Bakic explores the subject of AI from a different perspective, outlining ways in which foundations can responsibly incorporate AI in working towards their missions.

As funders, we should act now and act together to support the people around Europe that are ready to build that different future.