HIWCF is open to grant applicants using AI tools to assist with drafting funding applications, but ask that you consider the following first.
1. Definition of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability for machines or software to perform tasks that would otherwise require human intelligence. AI systems use inputs (e.g. data and prompts) from which they can generate outputs such as decisions, predictions, recommendations and content, most AI systems learn and use some degree of autonomy.
2. Our approach
We recognise AI offers potential benefits to us and our grantees, and that AI tools can be used to support human decision making – but our own policy on the use of AI requires all final decisions to be made by a human. Funding applications are still assessed at all stages by a human, and no funding decisions are made by AI. We will inform our grantee community if that changes.
3. Using AI tools in grant applications
We recognise that AI tools can be useful for fundraising and we do not object to community groups using it to support creating bids for HIWCF grants. We know they can be particularly helpful if you are new to writing funding applications, have a lot of information to summarise or if English is not your first language.
However, we think it is important that you are very alert to the limitations of using AI. It can risk losing your organisation’s unique perspective, and there are risks around accuracy and recency of data and of inaccurate or ill-informed conclusions being drawn using AI tools. If you use AI tools to help draft your content, we encourage you to edit it to reflect your organisation’s style, experience, and skills. If you intend to use AI to deliver some aspects of the work proposed in your application, we may ask you to explain how you will do this responsibly – note that some of our Fundholders would not permit this.
There are other issues you must be aware of when using AI tools that could lead us to assess your application less favourably. For example, AI generated content can:
• Contain errors or made-up information
• Use sources that it cannot check for credibility or accuracy
• Include bias that could exclude or mispresent communities, data or opinions
• Misrepresent financial information
• Include images that misrepresent people, places and communities
We recommend that you always double check your content, and ensure that a human is taking responsibility for the final application submitted.