This document discusses the current and future disruptive technologies that could impact charities and civil society organizations. It outlines several technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and augmented reality, that could create new ways for CSOs to achieve their missions but also generate new problems to address. The document then examines both the potential benefits and risks of these technologies, such as how AI could help with charitable causes but also raise issues like algorithmic bias. It considers many ways technology could affect inequality, data use, virtual environments, and other areas of concern for charities in the coming years.

1. 1
Technology and the future
challenges facing charities
Rhodri Davies
Head of Policy & Programme Director, Giving Thought

2. Why should funders and CSOs care
about disruptive tech?
G
O
O
D
B
A
D
NEUTRAL
New ways of achieving mission1)
Change the way organisations operate2)
Create new problems to address3)

3. Current Disruptive Technologies
3
Artificial
Intelligence (AI)
Blockchain
Cryptocurrency
Big/Open Data
3D Printing
Virtual &
Augmented Reality
(VAR)
Internet of Things
(IoT)
Autonomous
Vehicles & Drones
CRISPR/Biotech
Wearable tech
Robotics
Human
AugmentationQuantum
Computing

4. Key Questions for Civil Society about
Disruptive Technologies
4
Could it create new ways for
existing CSOs to solve social &
environmental problems?
Will it lead to new
organisations emerging to
compete with existing CSOs?
Could it create entirely new
problems that CSOs will have to
address?
Will it offer new ways for
existing CSOs to run more
efficiently or effectively?
Could it disrupt the existing
governance structures of
CSOs?
Could it give rise to new kinds
of donations?
Will it make it easier or
harder to identify potential
donors?
Could it give rise to entirely
new classes of donors?
Will it offer new ways of
engaging donors and
supporters?
Could the development of
this technology itself be
seen as a charitable cause?
Could it create new challenges
for existing beneficiaries?
Will it reduce or increase
inequality?

5. The Good…

6. AI for Good

7. Blockchain for good
7

8. 8
“Curing” Visual Impairment?

9. 9
The Bad…

10. Algorithmic Bias
When machine learning algorithms are taught using data sets that contain statistical biases
for e.g. race, gender, they exhibit and strengthen those biases over time

11. Filter Bubbles
• Technology such as social media
allows us to build ‘filter bubbles’
around our experience
• Likely to get worse as increasing
reliance on AI-based interfaces
tailors our experience of the world
to fit existing preferences and
biases.

12. The Slow Death of Public Discourse?
 Filter bubble problem symptomatic of wider social and political division
 Rise of ‘fake news’ and targeted
propaganda/misinformation has eroded
notions of truth and fact
 Things might be about to get worse…
For
charities:
• Challenges in terms of using facts and evidence for advocacy
• Role to play in combatting erosion of truth (e.g. philanthropic
support for journalism).

13. The Attention Economy
“The only factor becoming scarce in a world of abundance is human attention.”
-Kevin Kelly
 Need to compete in this “attention economy” has led
to new problems:
How do charities compete for our attention without adopting techniques that
cause long-term harm?

14. Child Development
Current concerns:
Emerging concerns:
Future concerns?

15. Psychological Distance &
Desensitisation
Brundage, M. et al (2018) The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence:
Forecasting, Prevention and Mitigation

16. Is this the real life, or is this just
fantasy…?
Behaviour within virtual
environments
 Most virtual environments are designed
specifically to allow people to escape
from reality
 This may include transgressive
behaviour
 But how far should we allow this to go?
Impact of virtual
environments on reality
 ‘Gamer rage’
 Neglect of physical health
 Dissociative identity
disorder

17. Inequality
Inequality already a massive economic problem
Key question for development of tech: does it reduce or increase
inequality?

18. 18
Gene Editing & Inequality

19. An Ageing Population
 Average life expectancies continue to rise
 Life extension technology could
enable those who can afford it to live
even longer.
Our relationship with mortality could change radically over next 25 years
Hence:
Impact for charities:
• New health & social problems
• Delayed wealth transfer?
• More volunteers…?

20. Data: Big, Open & Everywhere
20
“The world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data”
The Economist (2017)
 Machine learning requires vast quantities of
data
 Growing pressure on data ownership in future
 Benefits: Personalisation, prediction, 3rd party
innovation
 Challenges: Concerns about data ownership
and usage

21. Digital Identity
21
Proving identity remains one of the biggest challenges online
BUT: big changes may be coming…
Proof of ID - Biometrics, facial recognition etc.
Ownership – “Self-Sovereign Identity”.
Instead of govt, companies etc. controlling your ID; you
hold all data and disclose only those aspects you choose
in any given situation.
NB: Possibility that in future we could all monetise our personal data.

22. Key Cross-Cutting Themes Recap
22
Disintermediation Decentralisation
Algorithmic interfaces
Radical Transparency
New digital assets
Data-driven decision making Data ownership
New types of digital
identity

23. Where to find us
23
CAF Giving Thought think tank and Future:Good project
Giving Thought Podcast
@Rhodri_H_Davies

24. Rhodri Davies
Head of Policy & Programme Director, Giving Thought
Charities Aid Foundation
rdavies@cafonline.org