FundraisingAI

AI is a dichotomy of infinite possibility and infinite doom. It challenges humans to reclaim agency in an era strongly shaped by technology. From reshaping creative industries to redefining authenticity, AI is more than just a tool but a mirror of decision-making, curiosity, and restraint. Join Nathan and Scott in their conversation on how leaders, creators, and organizations can navigate cognitive dissonance, acknowledge AI as a thinking partner, not a task executor, and focus on human-centered action amid rapid technological development. HIGHLIGHTS [02.27] The importance of understanding one’s values in the age of AI. [05.34] Infinite possibility and infinite doom. [13.08] Task-executor vs. cognitive partner. [20.00] Common objections to AI and resistance to change. [27.19] The Future of AI: Predictions for 2026. [36.12] Predictive vs. generative AI. [36.52] Australia: The first country to outlaw AI or social media for teenagers. [39.25] The value of social media platforms. [43.10] Quantum computing and AI development. [47.51] The potential for AI to enhance and transform creative processes. RESOURCES Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban reuters.com/legal/litigation/australia-social-media-ban-takes-effect-world-first-2025-12-09/ GPT-5.2 Release linkedin.com/posts/openai_gpt-52-is-now-rolling-out-to-everyone-this-activity-7404948016161488898-uz_2/ Disney strikes $1B deal with OpenAI linkedin.com/news/story/disney-strikes-1b-deal-with-openai-8080826/ Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/ LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans Website: fundraising.ai/

Change rarely begins with certainty. It begins with a decision to act. In this episode, Nathan is joined by Michael Sheldrick to explore what it takes to turn ideas into real impact. Michael Sheldrick is the Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer for Global Citizen, who oversees a global team of 30 professionals who work with governments, businesses, foundations, and artists to end extreme poverty and achieve the sustainable development goals. As a believer that lasting change begins with action, he is guided by optimism and a global outlook where he sees technology, creativity, and collaboration as tools to amplify humanity’s potential. Turning his gratitude into service, Michael made a lifelong commitment to empower others to act, adapt, and reimagine what’s possible. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS [01:00] Introduction and background of Michael Sheldrick. [04:11] Choosing to act meaningfully in your sphere of influence. [07:11] Turning belief and gratitude into meaningful change. [13:34] Willingness to ask for help. [17:21] Systemic change through collaboration and creativity. [25:30] The promise and paradox of AI. [35:03] AI, labor, and creativity. [38:50] The role of education in the future uncertainty. [43:55] What’s in the future for Michael? RESOURCES Connect with Michael Sheldrick LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/michael-sheldrick-30364051/ Website - michaelsheldrick.com/ From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World by Michael Sheldrick amazon.com/dp/1394202342 Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

AI is not just a distant concept but a force that quietly transforms how nonprofits create, communicate, and connect. The key to successful adaptation of AI technologies is embracing imperfection, letting AI spark direction, structure, and scale, even when the first draft isn’t perfect. As the sector evolves by the week, adaptability becomes the ultimate advantage for nonprofits in staying discoverable, relevant, and ready for what’s next. Nathan and Scott open this week’s conversation coming live from the Association Philanthropy Healthcare Conference at Aurora, Colorado. They first discuss the striking parallel between today’s AI revolution and the industrial revolution, both highlighted by innovation and concentrated power, but unlike in the past, the AI revolution is instant and global. Then Scott shares his perspective on the limitations of AI. As formidable a tool as AI might be, when it comes to sensitive concepts like therapy and reasoning, AI cannot play the full functioning role of a human therapist and make us feel safe, heard, and seen. Furthermore, Nathan talks passionately about finding clarity in a noisy world where you have to slow down and find the intentional stillness where purpose takes shape. He further advises people to find their ‘one thing,’ which isn’t a luxury but the foundation for future leadership. Further into the episode, Nathan and Scott also discuss the following topics: the hope of new generations finding the balance between technology and human connection, the importance of staying anchored to personal values, the emergence of new AI technologies, the importance of experimenting and figuring out the potential of AI, the necessity of establishing AI governance policies, and more. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS [02:45] Coming live from the Association Philanthropy Healthcare Conference. [08:00] AI revolution vs. industrial revolution. [10:41] Gen Alpha - A “renaissance” of balance between technology and human connection. [15:50] Limitations of AI as a therapist. [18:23] Figuring out and staying anchored to personal values. [22:30] Defining your ‘one thing’. [27:42] The rise of Artificial General Intelligence. [35:15] Going beyond the surface level of AI and identifying its potential. [38:40] The release of ChatGPT Atlas browser. [43:05] Establishing AI governance policies. [49:30] Visibility and credibility in the AI era. [51:00] Smart compose feature in Gmail. [59:14] Practical adoption, creative process, and balancing efficiency in agentic AI. RESOURCES IRREPLACEABLE: The Art of Standing Out in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Pascal Bornet amazon.com/IRREPLACEABLE-Art-Standing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1394264402 Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

Living in a rapidly changing technological era, the development of AI reminds us that what feels stable today can shift overnight. Just as global pandemics and political scenarios are reshaping our world quickly, AI is accelerating change at an unprecedented pace. The key not just to survive but to stay at the top of the technological game is to learn to adapt, stay open to possibilities, and prepare for what the future may hold. In this episode, Nathan and Scott primarily focus their conversation on the 2025 Fundraising AI Global Summit that happened last week and the positive changes that occurred this year compared to previous years. Throughout this conversation, they discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at a pace few people anticipated, how quickly assumptions about the stability of something can collapse, what it really means to adapt in a world where technology is moving faster than the traditional systems can keep up, what practical strategies you can try to stay strong, the research data on generative AI adaptation failure, how iteration unlocks the deeper potential of generative AI beyond surface-level tasks, the environmental and ethical implications of AI, and more. HIGHLIGHTS [01:35] 2025 Fundraising AI Global Summit Recap. [03:38] The increased awareness around the Global Summit. [08:30] Feedback on the summit. [10:44] The increasing role of agentic AI. [11:42] MIT study on generative AI. [17:42] The importance of iterative improvement in AI implementation. [21:17] Environmental implications of AI. [26:17] Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the future of AI. [32:10] The importance of preparing for the rapid technological changes coming. Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

From outdated best practices to the rise of agentic AI, the world of artificial intelligence is changing by the day. Reshaping how we work, lead, and give, AI is evolving faster than any other technology we’ve seen before. In this episode, Nathan and Scott comment on the urgency and importance of mindset shifts around AI, the emergence of new roles, and the delicate balance between automation and human supervision. The need for ethical standards in sectors like fundraising in using AI and the role of AI in unlocking generosity are also highlighted in this episode. If you are curious about the wonderful things that are possible with the help of AI, or simply just cautious, or both, this conversation will help you navigate the future of AI. HIGHLIGHTS [02:00] Annual Bridge Conference, National Harbor, MD. [07:47] Perceptions vs. reality of AI adoption in the nonprofit sector. [12:10] The inevitability of change. [18:24] The recent USA AI action plan. [24:34] Setting the standard for responsible AI use. [29:02] The evolution of agentic AI. [34:28] The balance between automation and human oversight. [39:13] Navigating AI’s impact on job markets. [42:08] The role of AI in the future of philanthropy. REOSOURCES: New Roles for AI - Pascal Bornet linkedin.com/posts/pascalbornet_ai-futureofwork-agenticai-activity-7355531131095552000-YPt2 Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

The term ‘Responsible AI’ is more than a buzzword; it’s a call to action. When we talk about responsible AI, it’s not about some fancy tech tools; it’s about power, ethics, leadership, and long-term consequences. The question we need to ask is ‘Who defines what’s safe? Who decides what’s ethical?’. At present a handful of tech giants shape the answers to those questions. While using AI might feel like a moderate impact, developing these models comes with a great environmental cost. We live in a world that moves at hyperspeed where it’s not healthy to treat AI as just a tech tool. The time has come for nonprofits and leaders to step up and lead with responsibility. In this week’s episode, Scott and Nathan talk about the ever-evolving landscape of AI and the foundation of AI governance. AI technologies are generally developing at a remarkable rate, but the governance aspect is only slowly progressing. This mismatch shows how the regulations are trying to catch up instead of preventing harm. Starting the conversation, Nathan shares his thoughts on the need for an adaptive, forward-thinking governance framework for AI that is able to anticipate risk and not just to respond. Next, Nathan and Scott discuss the technological and geopolitical power in AI, where a handful of tech giants control the system, leaving the rest of us to decide if their definition of ‘Responsible AI’ matches ours. Nathan kindly explains why responsible AI should be everyone’s responsibility. We are in a dire need of drawing ethical lines, defining values, and demanding a transparent AI governance system before harm scales beyond our grasp. Further down in the conversation, Nathan and Scott pay attention to the following topics: challenges in AI governance, guardrails for using AI, the role of leadership in responsible AI use, environmental impact on developing AI, and more. HIGHLIGHTS [01:06] Governance and AI. [04:04] The lack of progress in the governance framework. [09:11] Challenges in AI governance. [13:02] The concentration of technological and geopolitical power in AI. [15:10] The importance of having guardrails of how to use AI. [20:21] The role of leadership in responsible AI. [25:31] The choice between acting in the fog or becoming irrelevant. [27:50] Navigating the ethics and safety in AI. [30:15] Environmental impact of AI. RESOURCES Laying the Foundation for AI Governance. aiforgood.itu.int/event/building-secure-and-trustworthy-ai-foundations-for-ai-governance/ Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠⁠

In the rapidly accelerating world of Artificial Intelligence, the pace of innovation can feel overwhelming. From groundbreaking advancements to the ongoing debate about governance and ethical implications, AI is not just a tool; it's a transformative force. As we race towards super intelligence and navigate increasingly sophisticated models, how do we ensure that human values remain at the core of this technological revolution? How do we, especially in the trust-based nonprofit sector, lead with intentionality and ensure AI serves humanity rather than superseding it? In this episode, Nathan and Scott dive into the relentless evolution of AI, highlighting Meta's staggering $15 billion investment in the race for super intelligence and the critical absence of robust regulation. They reflect on the essential shift from viewing AI adoption as a finite "destination" to embracing it as an ongoing "journey." Nathan shares insights on how AI amplifies human capabilities, particularly for those who are "marginally" good at certain skills, advocating for finding your "why" and offloading tasks AI can do better. Scott discusses his recent AI governance certification, underscoring the complexities and lack of "meat on the bone" in US regulations compared to the EU AI Act. The conversation also explores the concept of AI agents, offering practical tips for leveraging them, even for those with no coding experience. They conclude with a powerful reminder: AI is a mirror reflecting our values, and the nonprofit sector has a vital role in shaping its ethical future. HIGHLIGHTS [01:15] AI Transformation: A Journey, Not a Destination [03.00] If AI Can Do It Better: Finding Your Human "Why" [04:05] AI Outperforming Human Capabilities [05:00] Meta's $15 Billion Investment in Super Intelligence [07:16] The Manipulative Nature of AI and the "Arms Race" for Super Intelligence [09:27] The Importance and Challenges of AI Governance and Regulation [14:50] AI as a Compass, Not a Silver Bullet [16:39] Beware the AI Finish Line Illusion [18:12] Small Steps, Sustained Momentum: The "Baby Steps" Approach to AI [26:48] Tip of the Week: The Rise of AI Agents and Practical Use Cases [32.24] The Power of Curiosity in AI Exploration RESOURCES Relay.app: relay.app Zapier: zapier.com Make.com: make.com N.io: n.io Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠