Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday working life across the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. A new report published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), produced by We and AI, explores how grassroots organisations are beginning to use generative AI, highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges ahead.
While the report presents a national picture, many of its findings resonate strongly with work already taking place across Leeds. As digital transformation continues to gather pace, the report provides a timely opportunity to consider how AI can support charities and community organisations while ensuring no organisation is left behind.
Source:
Grassroots and Non-Profit Perspectives on Generative AI – Joseph Rowntree Foundation
AI is already becoming part of everyday work
The report found that many grassroots organisations are already using generative AI to support routine tasks such as:
- Drafting funding applications
- Writing newsletters and communications
- Summarising lengthy reports
- Producing meeting notes
- Reducing administration
- Brainstorming ideas and planning projects
For organisations facing increasing financial pressures and limited capacity, AI has the potential to save time, reduce repetitive tasks and allow staff and volunteers to spend more time supporting people and communities.
Importantly, the report stresses that AI should not be viewed as a solution to funding pressures or workforce shortages. Instead, it should be seen as another tool that can help organisations work more efficiently and effectively.
Smaller organisations risk falling behind
One of the report’s strongest messages is that AI adoption is happening unevenly across the sector.
Larger organisations are generally better placed to invest in staff training, develop AI policies and establish governance around responsible use. Smaller charities and grassroots organisations often lack the time, confidence or digital infrastructure to do the same.
Without additional support, there is a risk that digital inequalities within the VCSE sector could continue to widen.
Trust matters as much as technology
Many organisations told researchers they were already experimenting with AI but had few formal policies in place.
Questions around transparency, safeguarding, confidentiality, copyright, bias, environmental impact and maintaining public trust remain important considerations.
Rather than discouraging AI, the report recommends investing in staff confidence, developing clear organisational guidance and ensuring that AI continues to reflect organisational values and community needs.
Grassroots organisations should help shape AI
The report argues that charities and community organisations should not simply respond to AI—they should help shape how it develops.
Grassroots organisations work closely with communities who are often most affected by digital exclusion and wider inequalities. Their knowledge, experience and trusted relationships can help ensure AI develops in ways that are fair, inclusive and beneficial to society.
Leeds has already laid important foundations
Although the report focuses on artificial intelligence, many of its recommendations build upon work that has been taking place across Leeds for many years.
Through 100% Digital Leeds, the city has developed one of the UK’s leading place-based approaches to digital inclusion, supporting community organisations to build confidence, strengthen digital skills and improve access to technology.
This work has helped hundreds of organisations develop their digital capability, recognising that successful digital transformation is not simply about introducing new technology. It is about building confidence, sharing knowledge and ensuring organisations have the skills and support needed to use digital tools effectively.
Find out more about 100% Digital Leeds:
[https://digitalleeds.org.uk/]
Could AI become the next digital inclusion challenge?
For many organisations, the next challenge is unlikely to be accessing AI tools—they are already becoming embedded within software many people use every day.
Instead, the challenge will be ensuring organisations have the confidence, governance and skills to use them responsibly.
The same principles that have underpinned Leeds’ digital inclusion work—collaboration, confidence-building, peer learning and practical support—are likely to become increasingly important as AI becomes part of everyday working life.
Rather than creating a new digital divide, there is an opportunity to build on the city’s existing strengths and ensure organisations of every size can benefit from emerging technologies.
Collaboration will be key
The report suggests that smaller organisations are most at risk of being left behind if access to AI knowledge and skills remains unequal.
Leeds is already taking steps that could help address this challenge through initiatives such as the Leeds Digital Volunteering Partnership.
The partnership connects businesses, technology professionals and Employer Supported Volunteering programmes with charities and community organisations, helping organisations strengthen digital capability, access specialist expertise and build long-term organisational resilience.
While the partnership’s focus extends beyond artificial intelligence, it provides a strong example of how collaboration can help smaller organisations access knowledge they may not otherwise have.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded within everyday work, partnerships like these could become an important way of ensuring organisations of every size can benefit from innovation while maintaining the people-centred values that define the VCSE sector.
Learn more about the Leeds Digital Volunteering Partnership:
Looking ahead
Artificial intelligence is unlikely to replace the expertise, relationships and lived experience that sit at the heart of the VCSE sector.
Instead, its greatest value may lie in reducing administration, improving productivity and giving organisations more time to focus on the people and communities they exist to support.
The JRF report reminds us that the future of AI is not just about technology. It is about ensuring organisations have the confidence, support and opportunity to adopt new tools in ways that are ethical, inclusive and aligned with their values.
For Leeds, many of the foundations for that future are already in place. The challenge now is to build on them together.
Further reading
Grassroots and Non-Profit Perspectives on Generative AI
Joseph Rowntree Foundation / We and AI
AI for Public Good
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
[https://www.jrf.org.uk/ai-for-public-good]
We and AI
100% Digital Leeds
[https://digitalleeds.org.uk/]
Leeds Digital Volunteering Partnership
