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LOOKING FORWARD TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
At CEO Summit 2025, Lutheran Services in America took a look into the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and what it means for our work, our teams, and the people we support. Thought leaders Nathan Chappell, Caitlin Augustin, and Nabiha Syed painted a compelling picture of AI’s promise to boost efficiency, improve service delivery, and personalize support, while also cautioning us about the risks of bias, privacy gaps, and deepening inequities.
AI Member Survey
In our recent AI member survey, many of you shared that AI is top of mind, but with so many competing priorities, you need to know where to start and what to consider. In an initial usage survey of our members, with 31 respondents:
- 5% of respondents indicated that they had not (or had not but would like to) implemented ethics or usage guidelines for their organizations.
- Survey respondents are generally committed to AI implementation, but are at varying stages of organizational commitment. 22% of respondents’ organizations are very committed at the organizational level to developing an AI strategy; 18% are committed to using AI, but are exploring the path forward; and 48% of respondents lack an organizational strategy for using AI, but have departments or teams that are actively using it. Just 13% of respondents’ organizations are not committed to using AI.
- Organizations are already using AI to perform specific functions: Of the respondents, 22% are using AI for IT and finance work; 26% in HR; 35% in operations and project management; 40% in development and fundraising; 13% in client management and support; and 14% in other ways.
Advisory Committee on AI
At the Summit, there was a clear call to action: create a space for shared learning and leadership with the launch of our inaugural Advisory Committee on AI. Our AI Advisory Committee will help shape the future of AI across our network by:
- Pinpointing key programmatic priorities
- Tackling cross-cutting issues like ethics, access, processes, and accountability
- Curating and sharing tools, insights, and real-world case studies across the network
- Understanding the varying AI needs across organizations, and what support may be needed
- Fostering collaboration and connection around AI across our community
Our committee members represent a cross-section of our membership and include:
- Brett Anderson, President and CEO, Ebenezer
- Kelli Dobner, Chief Strategy and Advancement Officer, Samaritas
- Amelia Fox, Chief Strategy Officer, Lutheran Services Florida
- Mary Glidewell, Chief Information Officer, Lutheran Services Carlinas
- Adriene Iverson, President, Elder Care Alliance
- John Moeller, President and CEO, Lutheran Services Georgia
- Michelle Naples, Chief Integration Officer, Lutheran Services Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
- Sergio Razo, Chief Technology Officer, Lutheran Community Services of the Northwest
- Chris Singer, President and CEO, Lutheran Church Charities
- Harry Vijayakumar, Chief Information Officer, Lutheran Social Service of Illinois
- Sharif Walker, President and CEO, Bethel New Life
Resources to Help You Get Started with AI
- Overview and Getting Started
- DonorSearch: AI for Nonprofits: Everything Your Org Needs to Know: https://www.donorsearch.net/resources/ai-for-nonprofits/
- SSIR: Mapping the Landscape of AI-Powered Nonprofits: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/ai-powered-nonprofits-landscape
- Ethics and Governance
- Global Giving: Responsible AI Use: How and Why to Start Developing Policies
https://www.globalgiving.org/learn/nonprofit-responsible-ai-use-policies - Stanford Social Innovation Review: 8 Steps Nonprofits Can Take to Adopt AI Responsibly: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/8_steps_nonprofits_can_take_to_adopt_ai_responsibly
- NTEN: AI Governance Framework for Nonprofits Policy Template: https://word.nten.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AI-Policy-Template-by-ANB-Advisory.pdf
- SecureFrame: Why You Need an AI Policy and How to Write One: https://secureframe.com/blog/ai-policy
- LeadingAge member Cypress Living: Responsible Use of AI in Aging Services (https://cypressliving.org/responsible-use-of-ai-in-aging-services/
- Global Giving: Responsible AI Use: How and Why to Start Developing Policies
For more information, if you need resources, or to get involved, please contact Kim Roque.
