Like many other nonprofits, Microsanctuary Resource Center (MRC) is doing our best to stay aware of the growth in availability and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Whether it pertains to content or administrative tools, AI is becoming more prevalent in all sectors of daily life. We wanted to address the issue, both in terms of our practices as an organization and when it comes to applications for our micro-grant program.
GENERAL POLICY
MRC’s Policy on AI: MRC will not use AI tools or knowingly share AI content in our grant processing or outreach.
MRC has not used AI tools for any aspect of our organization’s operations, including creating content for outreach and education as well as reviewing micro-grant applications. We have no plans to change this.
Text & Narrative
Although generative AI can be a timesaver and an aid to writing text, we only use text that is written by MRC staff or contributed by sanctuary and microsanctuary operators. Our goal is to promote authentic voices in order to share real stories of caregivers and residents. We believe strongly in the power of words and of narrative based on lived experience to inspire and inform.
Images & Video
The progress of AI in creating images and video is remarkable (to say the least). However, we always work with human artists and designers to create visual material. Although digital design and editing tools are helpful to creators, AI creation is another matter. We are proud to employ and support designers to help with our outreach, education, and storytelling.
Grant Application & Review
Our micro-grant program has fielded hundreds of applications over the years, and we put a lot of effort into application review. We think it’s important to personally review each application. We do not and will not use AI tools for any part of the grant application review process.
On the flip side, we recognize that applying for grants can be time consuming and challenging for individuals who are seeking funding. This is one reason why we’ve tried to make our application form as straightforward as possible.
While recognizing that AI tools can be helpful, in the coming year MRC will prohibit the use of generative AI* in our grant application forms and require applicants’ confirmation that AI was not used.
(* AI may be used for proofreading processes, like grammar and spelling review, but not for creating text as answers to questions in the application forms.)
SUMMARY
Whatever the future role of AI in our society may be, it’s important to approach this powerful force with as much consideration as possible in order to recognize the impacts of our choices. With major implications for everything from creativity, to culture, to ecology, AI will require each of us to navigate complexity in our choices.
MRC as an organization will not use AI tools.