The newly formed Charity AI Task Force has today called on the government to engage more with the sector on its plans for the technology.
In response to the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, the sector group warned that current proposals risk overlooking contributions from civil society.
Published in January as a “blueprint to turbocharge AI”, the government’s plan does not mention charities or voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
In response, the Charity AI Task Force, which was formed in February this year and is co-chaired by Dan Sutch and Zoe Amar, has called for “immediate collaboration” between the sector and government.
In a joint statement, Sutch and Amar said: “We were heartened to learn of this plan, with its timely focus on accelerating AI innovation, infrastructure and skills – but were surprised to discover that there was no mention of the charity sector.
“Not only do VCSE sector organisations offer vital support to millions of individuals and communities across the UK, amplifying underrepresented voices and addressing harms, but they are actively adopting – and indeed innovating with – AI.”
According to preliminary findings from the 2025 Charity Digital Skills Report, AI usage in the sector has risen over the past year from 61% to 76%, with 83% of respondents reporting their AI knowledge as “foundational”, “experienced” or “proficient”.
Increase in AI usage in charity sector
The Charity AI Task Force was set up earlier this year to provide the same level of recognition and support as the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce set up by the government in 2024.
In its new response, it requested a meeting with science secretary Peter Kyle and named six priority areas in its response where the sector could support delivery of the government's objectives, concerning 16 of the plan’s 50 recommendations.
Describing AI as the “defining social and strategic opportunity of our time”, the group also argued that engaging with the VCSE sector would not only ensure a more equitable roll-out of AI but also allow government and industry to “benefit from the invaluable wealth of skills, connections and community insights that charities can share”.
Sutch and Amar added: “Charities have huge amounts of expertise – and knowledge of communities which could be utilised to build AI products and services with other sectors, thereby contributing to the ambitions for growth which underpin the government’s plan.”
Related articles
