NJ Corporate Philanthropy Network: Ethical AI Integration for Philanthropy

This program will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the philanthropic sector—and how funders can adopt these tools ethically, responsibly, and strategically.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how organizations operate, make decisions, and advance their missions. This session brings together leaders in social impact, ethics, and governance to discuss practical approaches funders can take to integrate AI while preserving transparency, accountability, and the essential role of human judgment.

Participants will explore:
• Practical AI applications in philanthropy—from grant search and drafting to landscape analysis and impact evaluation
• Governance frameworks that define where AI can augment decision-making and where human discretion must remain central
• Capacity-building strategies to strengthen internal AI literacy, policies, and responsible use
• Transferable lessons from government and public-sector AI initiatives

This session will provide immediately actionable takeaways and a forward-looking discussion on the governance structures philanthropy must build to ensure AI advances social good, not risk it.

Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $95 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.

John Basl is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University, where he also leads AI & Data Ethics Initiatives for the Northeastern Ethics Institute. His research and teaching is at the intersection of AI ethics and moral philosophy with a focus on how to develop ethics governance and on issues of algorithmic transparency. He is the Northeastern site lead for the NSF-funded Center for Responsible AI + Governance, ethics co-lead of the National Internet Observatory, and co-lead of the AI + Data Ethics Summer Training Program.

Antoinette Marie is currently the Director of Strategic Capital at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, where she leads grantmaking at the intersection of artificial intelligence and social impact. Her work focuses on building the conditions for equitable AI adoption— moving beyond isolated grants toward capability-building approaches that strengthen communities and institutions over the long term. Before joining PJMF, Antoinette spent years at the frontier of applied technology and AI in international development. As Director of Heifer Labs at Heifer International, she managed a $23M global program portfolio, led AI and ML initiatives across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and developed field-tested frameworks for deploying digital solutions in smallholder farming contexts. Her work has been published in the Harvard Social Impact Review and featured in World Economic Forum publications.

Beth Simone Noveck is a professor and director of the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University. She leads The Governance Lab and its InnovateUS initiative, the fastest-growing AI learning community for public sector professionals. Former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer and the first state Chief AI Strategist, she founded AI for Impact, which builds democratic AI with communities. She writes on AI and democracy at rebootdemocracy.ai.