"Are there ethical concerns specific to our mission?" Yes, and they deserve serious attention. AI systems can reflect and amplify biases present in their training data, which is particularly consequential when serving vulnerable populations — people seeking housing assistance, mental health support, legal aid, or other sensitive services. An algorithm that performs differently across racial, economic, or demographic groups can cause real harm, even when no harm was intended. Mission-driven organizations have both an ethical obligation and a reputational stake in getting this right.

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Organizations should also think carefully about transparency. Clients and community members increasingly have a right to know when AI is involved in decisions or communications that affect them. Being upfront about AI use — and building in human oversight at key decision points — is not just an ethical best practice; it is foundational to the trust that most nonprofits depend on to fulfill their mission.