AI for Trustees: What the Board Needs to Decide

AI is probably already in your charity, whether or not the board has ever discussed it. The Charity Digital Skills Report 2026 found that 79% of charities use AI in some way, and only 7% review its use and risks regularly at board meetings.

This short guide takes a board through the decisions that are theirs to make: where AI is allowed, what must never go into it, what to tell funders and donors, and how to write it all down. It covers Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and you don't need to know anything about the technology.

Instant download, so we don't offer refunds if you change your mind once you've downloaded it. If a file is faulty or won't open, we'll put it right or refund you. Need an invoice instead of paying by card? Email hello@thecommitteeroom.co.uk.

What's in it

Ten chapters, with checklists and worked examples from small charities:

1. Why AI is a board matter
2. Your duties, applied to AI
3. Finding out what's already happening
4. Deciding where AI is allowed
5. Data, privacy and the people you serve
6. Fundraising, funders and public trust
7. Fraud, scams and deepfakes
8. Writing it down and reviewing it
9. Making AI work for you
10. Where to start

There is also a jargon buster and a full list of sources.

Nine templates to copy and adapt for your charity

• Five-question AI use survey
• AI tool register
• Traffic-light task table
• Questions to ask an AI supplier
• Fraud and payment controls checklist
• Two-page AI policy
• Risk register entry
• Sample minutes
• Twelve questions for the annual review

Who it's for

Trustees and committee members of small charities, and the secretaries, clerks and administrators who support them. It is written for boards with no technical expertise and, in many cases, no paid staff.

Questions

Can I share it with the rest of the board?

The board licence is for that. It covers the trustees, staff and volunteers of one charity. A single-reader licence is for one person.

We support several charities. Can we use it with all of them?

Each board licence covers one charity. If you are a support body, funder or network, get in touch about a wider licence.

What if the rules change?

The guide is correct at November 2026. Any changes will be listed below on this page, so you can check them at any time without buying it again.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is general guidance. If you're worried about a specific situation, take professional advice.

Updates since publication

None yet.

Bought under our terms. We handle your details as set out in our privacy notice. Payment and delivery are handled by Payhip.