AI is not just a distant concept but a force that quietly transforms how nonprofits create, communicate, and connect. The key to successful adaptation of AI technologies is embracing imperfection, letting AI spark direction, structure, and scale, even when the first draft isn’t perfect. As the sector evolves by the week, adaptability becomes the ultimate advantage for nonprofits in staying discoverable, relevant, and ready for what’s next. 

Nathan and Scott open this week’s conversation coming live from the Association Philanthropy Healthcare Conference at Aurora, Colorado. They first discuss the striking parallel between today’s AI revolution and the industrial revolution, both highlighted by innovation and concentrated power, but unlike in the past, the AI revolution is instant and global. Then Scott shares his perspective on the limitations of AI. As formidable a tool as AI might be, when it comes to sensitive concepts like therapy and reasoning, AI cannot play the full functioning role of a human therapist and make us feel safe, heard, and seen. Furthermore, Nathan talks passionately about finding clarity in a noisy world where you have to slow down and find the intentional stillness where purpose takes shape. He further advises people to find their ‘one thing,’ which isn’t a luxury but the foundation for future leadership.  

Further into the episode, Nathan and Scott also discuss the following topics: the hope of new generations finding the balance between technology and human connection, the importance of staying anchored to personal values, the emergence of new AI technologies, the importance of experimenting and figuring out the potential of AI, the necessity of establishing AI governance policies, and more.  

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 

[02:45] Coming live from the Association Philanthropy Healthcare Conference.  

[08:00] AI revolution vs. industrial revolution. 

[10:41] Gen Alpha - A “renaissance” of balance between technology and human connection. 

[15:50] Limitations of AI as a therapist.  

[18:23] Figuring out and staying anchored to personal values.  

[22:30] Defining your ‘one thing’.  

[27:42] The rise of Artificial General Intelligence.  

[35:15] Going beyond the surface level of AI and identifying its potential.  

[38:40] The release of ChatGPT Atlas browser. 

[43:05] Establishing AI governance policies.  

[49:30] Visibility and credibility in the AI era.  

[51:00] Smart compose feature in Gmail.  

[59:14] Practical adoption, creative process, and balancing efficiency in agentic AI.  

RESOURCES 

IRREPLACEABLE: The Art of Standing Out in the Age of Artificial Intelligence 

by Pascal Bornet 

amazon.com/IRREPLACEABLE-Art-Standing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1394264402  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

The nonprofit sector continues to reshape with AI, but its power comes with responsibility. The ethical use of AI is essential to ensure technology serves human values rather than replacing them. Organizations need to balance hope and fear, embrace accountability, and create policies rooted in empathy, equity, and integrity. Evolving beyond awareness to action requires responsible experimentation and open conversations, always prioritizing humanity over utility. Change takes time, but consistent effort secures trust, human dignity, and also empathy and compassion that define a thriving society.  

In this episode, Nathan sits down with Meena Das, CEO at NamasteData.org, a first-gen immigrant, data, research, and analytics consultant, author, certified life coach, and mentor. She supports nonprofits by blending storytelling, conversions, and human-centric data tactics.

HIGHLIGHTS

[01:46] Self-reflection and ethical standards.  

[03:33] The importance of showing up.  

[05:07] Meena’s story.  

[07:46] Data and AI equity.  

[13:25] The origin story of the AI equity project.  

[18:50] The primary objective.  

[23:10] The importance of a healthy debate.  

[26:53] Awareness and action.  

[30:53] Asking the right questions.  

[35:19] Trust, humanity, experimentation, and accountability. 

[43:19] Upholding care, empathy, and integrity.  

RESOURCES 

Connect with Meena Das 

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/meenadas/  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

Living in a rapidly changing technological era, the development of AI reminds us that what feels stable today can shift overnight. Just as global pandemics and political scenarios are reshaping our world quickly, AI is accelerating change at an unprecedented pace. The key not just to survive but to stay at the top of the technological game is to learn to adapt, stay open to possibilities, and prepare for what the future may hold.  

In this episode, Nathan and Scott primarily focus their conversation on the 2025 Fundraising AI Global Summit that happened last week and the positive changes that occurred this year compared to previous years. Throughout this conversation, they discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at a pace few people anticipated, how quickly assumptions about the stability of something can collapse, what it really means to adapt in a world where technology is moving faster than the traditional systems can keep up, what practical strategies you can try to stay strong, the research data on generative AI adaptation failure, how iteration unlocks the deeper potential of generative AI beyond surface-level tasks, the environmental and ethical implications of AI, and more.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[01:35] 2025 Fundraising AI Global Summit Recap.  

[03:38] The increased awareness around the Global Summit.  

[08:30] Feedback on the summit.  

[10:44] The increasing role of agentic AI.  

[11:42] MIT study on generative AI.  

[17:42] The importance of iterative improvement in AI implementation. 

[21:17] Environmental implications of AI.  

[26:17] Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the future of AI.  

[32:10] The importance of preparing for the rapid technological changes coming. 

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

In this week’s episode, we welcome Mallory Erickson, the creator of Practivated, and Woodrow Rosenbaum, founder and CEO of With Intent. This conversation focuses on the balance between productivity and efficiency with the help of AI in a world where speed often overshadows substance. Together, they shed light on how innovation can empower nonprofits to reimagine generosity for the future.  

HIGHLIGHTS

[06:22] Introduction and background to Mallory and Woodrow.  

[10:11] AI’s potential to transform organizations and impact.  

[15:00] From AI hype to real transformation in nonprofits.  

[18:40] The overwhelm and fear surrounding AI.  

[23:05] The fear of change and getting comfortable with discomfort.  

[27:50] Engagement over avoidance.  

[33:23] The mindset shift: Building prompting skills in safe contexts.  

[38:30] Responsible and ethical AI usage.  

[42:53] Leadership in rapidly changing AI landscape.  

[45:54] Agentic AI and the future of nonprofit.  

[48:04] Addressing bias and inequity in AI training and applications. 

[54:02] AI Global Summit: Learning and adopting AI that is best for nonprofit organizations. 

Connect with Mallory Erickson 

LinkedIn -linkedin.com/in/mallory-erickson-bressler/  

Website - malloryerickson.com/  

                  practivated.com/  

Instagram - instagram.com/_malloryerickson/  

Podcast - malloryerickson.com/podcast/  

Connect with Woodrow Rosenbaum 

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/woodrowrosenbaum/  

Website - with-intent.com/  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

From outdated best practices to the rise of agentic AI, the world of artificial intelligence is changing by the day. Reshaping how we work, lead, and give, AI is evolving faster than any other technology we’ve seen before. In this episode, Nathan and Scott comment on the urgency and importance of mindset shifts around AI, the emergence of new roles, and the delicate balance between automation and human supervision. The need for ethical standards in sectors like fundraising in using AI and the role of AI in unlocking generosity are also highlighted in this episode. If you are curious about the wonderful things that are possible with the help of AI, or simply just cautious, or both, this conversation will help you navigate the future of AI.  

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:00] Annual Bridge Conference, National Harbor, MD.  

[07:47] Perceptions vs. reality of AI adoption in the nonprofit sector.  

[12:10] The inevitability of change.  

[18:24] The recent USA AI action plan.  

[24:34] Setting the standard for responsible AI use.  

[29:02] The evolution of agentic AI.  

[34:28] The balance between automation and human oversight.  

[39:13] Navigating AI’s impact on job markets.  

[42:08] The role of AI in the future of philanthropy.  

REOSOURCES:

New Roles for AI - Pascal Bornet 

linkedin.com/posts/pascalbornet_ai-futureofwork-agenticai-activity-7355531131095552000-YPt2  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

In this episode, Nathan welcomes Jason VanLue, VP of Product at Virtuous, to explore the intersection of design thinking, branding, and AI. Starting the conversation, Jason shares his unique journey into product development and storytelling. The duo dives into the importance of design principles, the art of vibe coding, and why the human touch matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. 

Moreover, Jason previews his latest work, "The Three Pipe Problems," inspired by Sherlock Holmes and designed to solve complex challenges with empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking. Additionally, Nathan and Jason explore the evolving role of storytelling in the nonprofit sector, the critical skills required for the future workforce, and the potential of AI as a tool rather than a replacement. 

HIGHLIGHTS

[05:15] Jason's Journey   

[11:09] Jason's Book "Branding Matters" and Its Impact  

[22:18] The Concept of the "Three Pipe Problems" 

[28:34] The Role of AI in Problem Solving  

[37:32] Vibe Coding and Its Implications 

[41:42] Future of Work and Hiring Practices  

REOSOURCES:

Connect with Jason: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonvanlue 

Website: jasonvanlue.com 

Website: virtuous.org 

Mentioned in the episode:  

Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands: amazon.com/Zag-Number-Strategy-High-Performance-Brands 

Branding Matters: amazon.com/Branding-Matters-Jason-VanLue 

Three Pipe Problems: jasonvanlue.com/book 

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

The term ‘Responsible AI’ is more than a buzzword; it’s a call to action. When we talk about responsible AI, it’s not about some fancy tech tools; it’s about power, ethics, leadership, and long-term consequences. The question we need to ask is ‘Who defines what’s safe? Who decides what’s ethical?’. At present a handful of tech giants shape the answers to those questions. While using AI might feel like a moderate impact, developing these models comes with a great environmental cost. We live in a world that moves at hyperspeed where it’s not healthy to treat AI as just a tech tool. The time has come for nonprofits and leaders to step up and lead with responsibility.  

In this week’s episode, Scott and Nathan talk about the ever-evolving landscape of AI and the foundation of AI governance. AI technologies are generally developing at a remarkable rate, but the governance aspect is only slowly progressing. This mismatch shows how the regulations are trying to catch up instead of preventing harm. Starting the conversation, Nathan shares his thoughts on the need for an adaptive, forward-thinking governance framework for AI that is able to anticipate risk and not just to respond. Next, Nathan and Scott discuss the technological and geopolitical power in AI, where a handful of tech giants control the system, leaving the rest of us to decide if their definition of ‘Responsible AI’ matches ours. Nathan kindly explains why responsible AI should be everyone’s responsibility. We are in a dire need of drawing ethical lines, defining values, and demanding a transparent AI governance system before harm scales beyond our grasp. Further down in the conversation, Nathan and Scott pay attention to the following topics: challenges in AI governance, guardrails for using AI, the role of leadership in responsible AI use, environmental impact on developing AI, and more.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[01:06] Governance and AI.  

[04:04] The lack of progress in the governance framework.  

[09:11] Challenges in AI governance.  

[13:02] The concentration of technological and geopolitical power in AI.  

[15:10] The importance of having guardrails of how to use AI.  

[20:21] The role of leadership in responsible AI.  

[25:31] The choice between acting in the fog or becoming irrelevant.  

[27:50] Navigating the ethics and safety in AI.  

[30:15] Environmental impact of AI.  

RESOURCES 

Laying the Foundation for AI Governance.  

aiforgood.itu.int/event/building-secure-and-trustworthy-ai-foundations-for-ai-governance/

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠⁠

Today's conversation from the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Nathan and Scott explore the evolving role of AI in shaping a better world. The summit, held under the United Nations banner and inspired by Neil Sahota, marks its 10th anniversary by focusing on how AI can accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion encompasses diverse topics, ranging from quantum technology to AI-assisted robotics, but it's the human impact that takes center stage. 

Nathan and Scott reflect on the cultural nuances of AI adoption in the US, UK, and Mongolia, highlighting how urgency, regulation, and societal mindset influence progress. They examine the growing importance of AI governance and trust, particularly in the nonprofit sector, where AI is viewed not as a replacement for fundraisers but as a tool to strengthen relationships and enhance decision-making. 

The episode encourages nonprofits to adopt internal AI policies, ask better questions of their vendors, and prioritize empathy and human connection in AI implementation. With practical tips and personal routines shared, this conversation reinforces a critical message: successful AI adoption starts with people, not just tech. As AI transforms industries, the focus must remain on curiosity, values, and long-term impact. 

HIGHLIGHTS 

[0:07] AI for Good Summit Overview  

[03:09] Impact of AI on Workforce and Governance  

[06:16] Cultural Differences in AI Adoption 

[10:17] AI's Role in the Nonprofit Sector  

[22:07] Imagination, Boundaries, and Thriving with AI 

[27:07] AI Governance and Trust  

[33:29] Practical Tips for AI Adoption 

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠

In the rapidly accelerating world of Artificial Intelligence, the pace of innovation can feel overwhelming. From groundbreaking advancements to the ongoing debate about governance and ethical implications, AI is not just a tool; it's a transformative force. As we race towards super intelligence and navigate increasingly sophisticated models, how do we ensure that human values remain at the core of this technological revolution? How do we, especially in the trust-based nonprofit sector, lead with intentionality and ensure AI serves humanity rather than superseding it?  

In this episode, Nathan and Scott dive into the relentless evolution of AI, highlighting Meta's staggering $15 billion investment in the race for super intelligence and the critical absence of robust regulation. They reflect on the essential shift from viewing AI adoption as a finite "destination" to embracing it as an ongoing "journey." Nathan shares insights on how AI amplifies human capabilities, particularly for those who are "marginally" good at certain skills, advocating for finding your "why" and offloading tasks AI can do better. Scott discusses his recent AI governance certification, underscoring the complexities and lack of "meat on the bone" in US regulations compared to the EU AI Act. The conversation also explores the concept of AI agents, offering practical tips for leveraging them, even for those with no coding experience. They conclude with a powerful reminder: AI is a mirror reflecting our values, and the nonprofit sector has a vital role in shaping its ethical future.  

 [01:15] AI Transformation: A Journey, Not a Destination [03.00] If AI Can Do It Better: Finding Your Human "Why"  

[04:05] AI Outperforming Human Capabilities  

[05:00] Meta's $15 Billion Investment in Super Intelligence  
[07:16] The Manipulative Nature of AI and the "Arms Race" for Super Intelligence  

[09:27] The Importance and Challenges of AI Governance and Regulation  

[14:50] AI as a Compass, Not a Silver Bullet 

 [16:39] Beware the AI Finish Line Illusion  

[18:12] Small Steps, Sustained Momentum: The "Baby Steps" Approach to AI  

[26:48] Tip of the Week: The Rise of AI Agents and Practical Use Cases 

[32.24] The Power of Curiosity in AI Exploration  

Relay.app: relay.app  

Zapier: zapier.com  

Make.com: make.com  

N.io: n.io  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

AI is no longer a remote concept; it’s here, reshaping how we communicate, work, and lead. But in a value-based sector such as healthcare philanthropy, AI adoption isn’t just about innovation; it’s about alignment, trust, and purpose. Curiosity fuels exploration, and authenticity remains the most valuable currency of our time. As organizations struggle with bureaucracy, privacy, and ethical considerations, the only thing that remains true is that moving forward with AI needs more than just technology; it requires intentionality. In this week’s episode, Nathan and Scott explore the importance of staying true to yourself in the age of AI.  

Nathan and Scott address you from the first AHP association for healthcare philanthropy, the AI Conference, and highlight the slow AI adoption of the healthcare industry due to bureaucracy and privacy concerns. Then, Nathan and Scott talk about the top two use cases of generative AI in the year 2025: ‘Therapy Companionship’ and ‘Organizing My Life.’ Nathan kindly explains the concept of ‘Great Flattening, ’ which is basically a return to the authenticity stage from internet perfection. Nathan also reminds us that the things technology can do are awesome, but it’s important to remember who we are without those curated perfections. They also share their take on the limitations of AI when it comes to providing emotional support. AI or any kind of bot can project and pretend, but it cannot ever feel the way humans do. Nathan further points out that the inherent human need to feel heard couldn’t be fulfilled by a bot.  

Nathan and Scott also discuss the following topics further in the conversation: artificial intimacy, the manipulative nature of AI, and practical use cases for nonprofit AI. 

HIGHLIGHTS

[01.13] AHP’s summit on Artificial Intelligence.  

[05.17] Enthusiasm, interest, and curiosity around AI in healthcare philanthropy.  

[11.12] The number 1 generative AI use case in 2025.  

[12.00] The high usage of AI therapy and companionship among certain age groups.  

[18.05] The Great Flattening.  

[22.00] The limitations of AI in providing emotional support.  

[25.20] Artificial intimacy and its effect on the human mind.  

[28.09] The manipulative nature of AI.  

[36.24] Practical use cases for nonprofit AI.  

[37.30] Tip of the Week – Level up your prompts by customizing how AI thinks.  

[40.00] Tip of the Week 2 -  LMArena.ai for comparing different AI models.  

RESOURCES 

LMArena AI - lmarena.ai/  

Personality and Persuasion by Ethan Mollick 

oneusefulthing.org/p/personality-and-persuasion?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1180644  

Artificial Intimacy - by CHT and MIT 

youtube.com/watch?v=hJ80NqXlGSk  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/