Digital Leads Network AI Learning Hour: Creating an empowering AI policy
Type of Learning Hour
Show & Tell
Session lead
John Fitzgerald, Digital Evolution Project Manager, SCVO
Hosted and supported by the Digital Leads Network, part of CAST.
Purpose of this session
A facilitated show & tell (e.g. short talk or demo) designed to inspire and spark ideas. This show & tell will focus on how one charity used a ‘bottom-up’ process to create a realistic and empowering AI policy.
Session overview
As well as leading efforts on responsible AI adoption within SCVO, John has advised hundreds of charities on how to start shaping their AI strategy. This deep dive on SCVO’s own experience will include lots of insights about how to take a practical, people-centred approach to AI governance.
Like many organisations, SCVO needed an AI policy because staff were already experimenting with and using AI tools, and these left some grey areas that weren’t covered by existing IT and data governance policies. We needed something that struck the right balance between ‘curiosity and care’. Some team members wanted some support and encouragement to try new tools, while others would benefit from clear boundaries to keep them on track.
Like most policies and strategy papers involving digital and technology, an AI policy throws up quite a few questions. Should it be a standalone policy, or embedded with other policy areas? Should it devolve judgement to teams, or centralise it? What’s our risk appetite, and what is our level of ambition?
In this session, you’ll hear how SCVO tackled these questions to come up with a proportionate and adaptable AI policy. And you’ll get practical ideas about how to get your own AI policy over the line in a way that ensures buy-in from right across your organisation.
Session structure
Welcome & check-ins: 10 mins
Show & Tell / Questions: 30 minutes
Group discussion / Reflections: 15 minutes
Wrap up: 5 mins