Safeguarding in the Age of AI

EBO is proud to be sponsoring the “Safeguarding in the Age of AI” online event, organised by Brook as part of the Brook Safeguarding Conference 2023. The event will focus on how charities can tap into AI’s potential while prioritising safeguarding at the same time. It will be followed by a message from EBO’s CEO, Dr. Gege Gatt , who will delve into the world of ethical AI and its impact on social well-being. More about the event below.

The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence and tools has been one of the biggest news stories of the last year. But just as the opportunities for the use of AI seem limitless, so too are the areas for anxiety.

Recent findings from the 2023 Charity Digital Skills report show that charities are already working hard to identify the benefits and opportunities associated with using AI, with 27% already using AI. But it also shows that 73% don’t feel ready to respond, with digital skills across the workforce and boards of trustees cited as hampering progress and adoption. The report also acknowledged that funders and grantmakers need to build knowledge in order to judge both the opportunities and risks.

Of course, knowledge, confidence and skills are only one part of the problem. Charities are at the mercy of reduced funding, rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis which may all be contributing to them feeling less able than ever to respond to emerging tech. One argument might be that AI holds the key to supporting more people through sustainable, scalable operations – but how can we do that safely?

As part of the next phase of its digital transformation journey, Brook is embarking on its own AI-powered quest to tackle misinformation and improve access to clinical care, but doing so will demand a laser-focus on safeguarding.

And so we ask, how can charities harness the true potential of AI and keep pace with such rapid developments while still placing safeguarding at the heart of any deployment?

Chaired by: Zoe Amar, one of the charity sector’s leading digital experts and author of the annual Charity Digital Skills report

Meet the panel:

Penny Nkrumah is Innovation and Product Manager at NPC, supporting charities to embrace new ways of working with the introduction of digital tools, the adoption of research as a mechanism to embed evidence in impact and through encouraging them to challenge themselves by asking difficult questions.

Louise Corden is Senior Product Manager at Citizens Advice, who are exploring ways to use AI to provide efficiencies or help deliver their services to the 40million people across the UK who seek advice from them every year. In her 15 years in the charity sector Louise has led on the design and launch of a chatbot for vulnerable young people on Childline, and managed online donation platforms among other digital products.

Laura Hamzic is Director of Digital and Communications at Brook. Laura joined Brook in 2014 and has been responsible for leading organisation-wide digital transformation, including the development of the digital front door to Brook’s clinical services. She is currently leading a project to explore the potential of AI to transform how Brook delivers clinical services and provides advice and information.

About the Brook Safeguarding Conference 2023

• The inaugural Brook Safeguarding Conference will be held on 14 September, during Sexual Health Week 2023, the theme of which is Playing it Safe

• The Conference will have wide appeal across the charity sector and beyond sexual and reproductive health

• The Conference will be held online and made up of a series of four 90-minute webinars with a chair and panel of guest speakers for each

Safeguarding in the age of AI is kindly sponsored by EBO.

This is one of four online events taking place on Thursday 14 September 2023 as part of Brook’s Safeguarding Conference. Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safeguarding-in-the-age-of-ai-tickets-689260916957?aff=odcleoeventsincollection