From outdated best practices to the rise of agentic AI, the world of artificial intelligence is changing by the day.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/

In an era where Artificial Intelligence is redefining our world at a remarkably swift pace, the traditional way of doing things no longer guarantees decent outcomes. The transformation of how we work, create, and find meaning due to AI puts the conventional job pyramid into a disruptive mode. It’s our responsibility to embrace curiosity, adapt boldly, and focus on delivering meaningful outcomes rather than routine tasks in order to thrive in this constantly changing landscape. It is no longer enough to simply work harder; it’s essential to work smarter with the assistance of AI. The future belongs to those who are willing to combine the power of human creativity with the power of AI.  

In this week’s episode, Nathan and Scott bring their usual updates on what new changes occurred in the landscape of AI. Then they share thoughts on the differences in AI adoption between the private and nonprofit sectors. The nonprofits have a responsibility to use AI thoughtfully because it can magnify their impact and shape the future of technology at the same time. Nathan then explains the importance of redefining success by choosing joy over traditional job titles in an AI-driven world. He also comments on the importance of encouraging the younger generations to follow what they love instead of the paycheck or traditional career paths. Furthermore, Nathan and Scott pay attention to discussing a much-needed topic: the limitations of AI when it comes to providing the human connection. AI can definitely answer your questions, but it cannot make you feel heard as another human being. It’s important to remember what a technology like AI is capable of and not capable of providing.  

Wrapping up the conversation, Scott provides tips to train ChatGPT fast, and Nathan contributes with the ponder of the week and encourages people to slow down and take time to ground themselves with the reality of what surrounds them.  

[02.04] AI in the private and nonprofit sectors.  

[07.50] The weekly highlight on AI.  

[14.12] Document by OpenAI’s Red Team about AI resisting termination instructions.  

[16.22] The responsibility of using AI thoughtfully.  

[22.37] Redefining success.  

[37.37] The Collapse of the Traditional Career Pyramid.  

[31.14] The limitations of AI in providing the human connection.  

[35.50] AI in the nonprofit sector.  

[39.41] Tip of the Week – Train ChaatGPT fast with a quick profile of you and your work.  

[43.20] Ponder of the Week – Slow down and ground yourself with the reality of what's around you. 

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

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

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

Website: ⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence isn’t just another tool but is becoming a part of the framework of how we live and work. But with that realization comes the question: What does it mean to use AI responsibly? How do we balance innovation with impact? And what happens if we let fear get in our way of engaging with AI at all? In this episode, Mallory Erickson and Nathan Chappell will dive into those tensions. Their aim is not to have all the answers but to explore the importance of curiosity, experimentation, and value-driven decision-making.  

Mallory Erickson is a former fundraiser, keynote speaker, author, and host of What the Fundraising, and the creator of Practivated, the first-ever AI-powered donor conversation simulator. She helps fundraisers navigate the overlap of strategy, coaching, and behavior design so they can focus on the most human aspects of their work: connecting. She has helped more than 60,000 fundraisers raise more with less burnout, overwhelm, and more alignment. She is also a firm believer that the nonprofit sector has the capacity to address the problems of the world.  

In this conversation, Mallory and Nathan find themselves discussing the following topics regarding the use and creation of responsible AI: the role of AI in solving fundraising challenges, the combination of curiosity, collaboration, and experimentation, the balance between innovation and responsibility, the fear of the unknown, the risk of not using AI at all. Mallory further explains the creation of Practivated and its impact on building fundraising confidence.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[04.19] Exploring the potential of AI in solving fundraising challenges. 

[09.08] Developing responsible AI tools for fundraising. 

[16.21] Curiosity, Collaboration, and experimentation. 

[21.27] The development of Practivated, a tool for building fundraising confidence through AI.  

[29.53] The balance between innovation and responsibility. 

[36.25] The risk of not trying to use AI at all.  

Connect with Mallory Erickson 

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

Website - malloryerickson.com/  

                  practivated.com/  

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

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

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/

Compassionate AI goes beyond kindness and empathy. It’s deep-rooted, human-centered intelligence that understands and supports a person as a whole. Embedded in both Western rationality and Eastern wisdom, it aims to help us grow and connect more meaningfully. Instead of replacing humans, compassionate AI develops our ability to understand ourselves and each other. In medicine, education, justice, or everyday life, AI like this helps us to become better humans. It begins with believing in ourselves and leveraging the tools that are currently in our grasp.  

We are joined by Dr. Jean-Luc Mommaerts, MD, MAI, PhD, a medical doctor and AI expert with an extensive background spanning over decades in artificial intelligence. He obtained a master’s in AI and cognitive science in 1997 and a PhD in medical science in 2014. He worked as a physician for 12 years, and his attention currently remains on developing a coaching chatbot, Lisa, based on subconceptual (‘connectionist’) principles. He is devoted to using technology to support self-understanding and human well-being with the experience of both clinical medicine and artificial intelligence development.  

In today’s conversation, Dr. Jean-Luc primarily focused on explaining the concept of compassionate AI and how Lisa AI, a compassionate AI tool, prioritizes human happiness and motivation. Throughout the conversation, we dive into the following topics regarding the use of compassionate AI and its future: the role of compassionate AI in nonprofits, its potential to create a more empathetic and efficient society, the expected expansion into various fields, including healthcare, education, and judicial systems, and also the importance of keeping these types of AI accessible to everyone.  

HIGHLIGHTS

[01.04] Introduction and background to Dr. Jean-Luc Mommaerts. 

[05.28] The concept of compassionate AI.  

[10.47] The philosophy behind Lisa: a compassionate AI coach.  

[15.33] The unique aspects of Lisa AI and its focus on compassionate intelligence.  

[21.00] The role of compassionate AI in fundraising.  

[29.00] Future of compassionate AI. 

[35.38] The importance of keeping compassionate AI accessible to everyone.  

[43.54] Believing in yourself and starting the journey toward a compassionate self.  

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/mommaertsjeanluc/  

Website – aurelis.org 

Email - [email protected]  

amazon.com/Jean-Luc-Mommaerts/e/B086BVMVJK&source=gmail-imap&ust=1748675972000000&usg=AOvVaw138RRdL13aH2uaS9iYF72c  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

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

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

Website: ⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/

AI continues to offer incredible opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency, making the way to transform how we live and work. While AI becomes more involved with our daily lives, it raises critical questions about responsibility, ethics, and governance. For a responsible AI adoption, you need not only to embrace the technology and its potential but also understand the risks and limitations that come with it. For a successful but responsible AI adoption, thoughtful leadership, clear boundaries, and continuous studying to ensure that AI is being fair and safe are much-needed requirements.  

In this week’s episode, Nathan and Scott continue to share their thoughts on responsible AI adoption. They start the conversation by commenting on the book signing event they participated in for their new book, ‘Nonprofit AI.’ They also discuss the newest updates to ChatGPT and advise people to be aware of the personalities and persuasive abilities of modern AI models. Next, they explain the real harm AI can cause by walking us through the lawsuit involving Character AI. Furthermore, in the conversation, Nathan and Scott take time to go through the fourth chapter of their book, AI First Nonprofit: Reimagining Nonprofit Impact. Wrapping up this week’s episode, Nathan introduces the ponder of the week, where he questions what’s riskier between waiting to use AI until we have a full understanding of it or diving right in without understanding it at all. Scott contributes with the tip of the week, where he suggests using multi-perspective prompting to get better results from AI.  

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:41] Nathan and Scott discuss their recent book signing event for their newly released “Nonprofit AI” book.  

[07:00] Personalities and persuasive abilities of AI models. 

[11:33] The lawsuit involving Character AI.  

[17:40] Enhancing productivity and innovation in the nonprofit sector.  

[19:30] Chapter Four of Nonprofit AI: AI First Nonprofit, Reimagining Nonprofit Impact.  

[22:34] AI as a strategic driver.  

[27:30] A solution-oriented approach for AI adoption.  

[31:02] Tip of the Week – Use multi-perspective prompting to get better AI results.  

[34:16] Ponder of the Week – What’s riskier? Waiting to use AI until we understand it, or using it without understanding at all?  

Nonprofit AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good  

by Nathan Chappell and Scott Rosenkrans  

amazon.com/Nonprofit-Comprehensive-Implementing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/139431664X  

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

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

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

Website: ⁠⁠fundraising.ai/