Australian not-for-profit organisations (NFPs)—organisations with socially-aligned motivations, knowledge, and experience—could significantly amplify their impact by using artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in a safe and responsible way.
AI adoption poses unique challenges for the NFP sector, which often operates with constrained resources and a natural aversion to risk given their funding environments and impact profiles. In response to these challenges, over the past year Gradient Institute delivered a dedicated program aimed at uplifting the capability of Australian NFPs and social enterprises (SEs) to develop and use AI responsibly.
With support from Google.org, the program aimed to provide mission-driven organisations with the knowledge, confidence, and practical guidance to explore AI innovation, while remaining mindful of the potential risks and ethical considerations.
The initiative was delivered through two streams: education, offering a suite of learning options including introductory and specialised courses, live webinars, and self-paced eLearning modules tailored for NFP and SE needs; and advisory, providing NFPs with actionable responsible AI goals, tailored support through exploratory workshops, individual consultations, and assistance with AI governance planning.
This approach enabled organisations to build a strong foundation in responsible AI and receive targeted assistance relevant to their operational context and social mission.
Impact and Reach
The program supported 138 organisations across Australia and New Zealand through a mix of virtual and in-person engagements. Feedback was strongly positive, and some NFPs—particularly those that received in-depth advisory support—have already taken steps to embed responsible AI practices into their work.
Continued Access to Resources
While the active phase of this program has now concluded, its impact continues. A wide range of helpful resources developed during the program remain freely available for NFPs and SEs, accessible at gradientinstitute.org/resources.
These include training materials, recorded webinars, eLearning modules, and a practical AI policy template for NFPs. We strongly encourage NFPs to make use of these materials in their ongoing efforts to adopt AI responsibly.
Gradient Institute remains committed to supporting NFPs in their safe and responsible development and use of AI. If you have specific questions or feedback about these resources, please feel free to contact us at info@gradientinstitute.org for further assistance.