A structured, governance‑focused programme for trustees, board members, senior volunteers, and charity leaders.
Trustees are responsible for strategy, risk, safeguarding, compliance, and ensuring the charity’s mission is delivered effectively. AI introduces new opportunities—but also new governance responsibilities. This course equips trustees to make informed decisions about AI adoption, oversight, and risk management.
Audience:
Charity trustees, board members, senior volunteers, and governance leads.
Duration:
3 hours (or 3 × 1‑hour sessions)
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
Understand how AI affects governance, risk, and compliance.
Identify appropriate AI use cases for their organisation.
Apply responsible AI principles to protect beneficiaries and data.
Oversee AI adoption through policies, controls, and accountability.
Recognise ethical, legal, and safeguarding implications.
Make informed strategic decisions about AI investment and risk.
Three modules build from awareness to governance to strategic oversight.
This module introduces AI in simple terms and connects it to trustee responsibilities.
Key Topics
What AI is and how it works
Why AI matters for governance and oversight
How AI is already embedded in charity tools
Opportunities for efficiency, insight, and improved service delivery
Myths and misconceptions (AI cannot replace human judgment or safeguarding)
Governance‑Relevant Examples
AI summarising board papers
AI supporting risk assessments
AI helping with policy drafting
AI improving accessibility for beneficiaries
AI analysing survey or impact data
Learning Activities
Icebreaker: “Where might AI already be influencing your charity’s decisions?”
Board mapping: Identify areas where trustees rely on digital tools that may include AI.
Demonstration: Show AI summarising a long policy document.
Take‑Home Actions
Review where AI is already used in the organisation
Identify governance tasks that could be supported by AI
Begin a trustee discussion on AI readiness
This module focuses on the principles trustees must apply to ensure safe and ethical AI adoption.
Core Governance Principles
Accountability: trustees remain responsible for decisions, not AI
Transparency: staff and beneficiaries should know when AI is used
Privacy: protect personal and sensitive data
Fairness: avoid bias or discriminatory outputs
Safety: ensure AI does not cause harm
Security: protect systems from misuse
Human oversight: AI supports decisions; it does not make them
Safeguarding: AI must never replace human safeguarding judgment
Governance Risks
AI generating inaccurate or misleading information
Staff entering sensitive data into AI tools
Biased outputs affecting service delivery
Over‑automation reducing human contact with vulnerable groups
Trustees approving AI use without understanding risks
Funders questioning AI‑generated content in applications
Learning Activities
Risk spotting: Identify governance risks in AI‑related scenarios.
Policy review: Evaluate an example AI policy and identify gaps.
Group reflection: “Which AI risks matter most for our beneficiaries?”
Take‑Home Actions
Add AI to the charity’s risk register
Begin drafting an internal AI policy
Review safeguarding procedures in light of AI tools
This module helps trustees make informed, strategic decisions about AI investment and oversight.
Strategic Objectives
Improve efficiency and reduce admin burden
Strengthen impact reporting and data insights
Enhance accessibility and inclusion
Support fundraising and communication
Improve governance through better information
Ensure ethical, safe, and mission‑aligned AI use
Strategic Questions for Trustees
Does AI support our mission and values?
What problems are we trying to solve?
What risks must we mitigate?
What training do staff and volunteers need?
How will we monitor AI use and impact?
What is our stance on AI transparency with beneficiaries and funders?
Governance Tools
AI readiness checklist
AI procurement questions for vendors
AI risk assessment template
AI oversight roles (e.g., digital trustee, AI champion)
Annual AI review as part of governance cycle
Learning Activities
Board simulation: Evaluate a proposal to adopt an AI tool.
Impact mapping: Identify where AI could strengthen mission delivery.
Scenario workshop: Respond to an AI‑related complaint or error.
Take‑Home Actions
Assign a trustee lead for digital and AI oversight
Add AI to annual board training
Create a roadmap for safe AI adoption
A light assessment reinforces learning.
10 multiple‑choice questions
3 short governance scenarios
Group reflection on AI oversight responsibilities
Attend full session
Participate in activities
Complete assessment
This training aims to:
Strengthen digital governance across small charities
Improve trustee confidence in AI oversight
Protect beneficiaries and sensitive data
Support ethical and safe adoption of AI
Increase organisational resilience and transparency
Ensure AI strengthens—not replaces—human‑centred charity work