Episode 40 - Building Trust in the AI Era with Cherian Koshy

In today's conversation, Cherian Koshy reflects on the evolution of technology, transparency, and the role of AI in nonprofit fundraising. Starting with personal stories, Cherian and Nathan discuss the early technology adoption in their careers and the transformative "Aha" moments that shaped their understanding of tech innovation. Cherian highlights the potential of AI, sharing his reaction to Notebook LM's audio file generation and exploring the implications of AI-generated content. The conversation pivots to transparency, with Cherian stressing the importance of nonprofits being open about their AI use, especially when handling donor data. He emphasizes that trust is a cornerstone for donor relationships, reinforced by insights from a recent survey showing donors prioritize transparency and are increasingly comfortable with AI, though privacy concerns remain. Wrapping up, both speakers emphasize the need for ongoing research, collaboration, and sector-wide transparency to build trust and responsibly integrate AI into nonprofit strategies. HIGHLIGHTS [00:55] Fundraising AI Summit Highlights [06:03] Notebook LM and Its Implications [09:23] Hidden Influences in Technology [15:37] Innovative Survey Techniques [19:08] Donor Perspectives on AI [23:58] The Role of Transparency in AI Use [29:46] Survey Findings and Donor Concerns [31:55] Report on Healthcare Philanthropy [33:02] Future Directions TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY Explore AI for synthesizing content and demos. Identify key tech moments to boost innovation. Ensure AI use is clear and openly communicated. Maintain trust by combining AI and human interaction. Ask donors directly about their AI concerns. Customize approaches for different donor segments. Proactively disclose AI usage to build donor confidence. Explore donor insights for tailored approaches. Be cautious about AI's influence. Engage in sector-wide collaboration for AI research. RESOURCES Connect with Cherian Koshy: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy/ Mentioned in the episode: Donor Perceptions of AI Study: cheriankoshy.com/aistudy/ Chronicle of Philanthropy: Donor Perceptions of AI: philanthropy.com/article/how-do-donors-feel-about-a-i-this-new-study-asks Connect with Nathan and Scott: LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/ LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans Website: fundraising.ai/