Addressing the promise and peril of AI for nonprofit management through a data feminist pedagogy

• Published in: Journal of public affairs education : J-PAE. Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 192 - 212
• Main Authors: Sandberg, Billie, Wasif, Rafeel, Hand, Laura C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration 03.04.2025
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Class Activities; Data; Ethics; Feminism; Intersectionality; Learning Activities; Nonprofit organizations
• ISSN: 1523-6803; 2328-9643
• DOI: 10.1080/15236803.2025.2475589

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for decades. However, the launch of ChatGPT took what once seemed science fiction for most people and made it a reality. This evolution deepened discussions of the ethical use of AI. Nonprofit work is not immune to these discussions, with AI being applied to fundraising, program operations, advocacy, and finance. It behooves nonprofit managers to be well-versed in the promises and perils of AI. Some challenge nonprofits to "stay human" in an increasingly digital world, but such guidance does not fully address the power differentials embedded in AI. This article presents a pedagogy based in data feminism, an intersectional feminist framework that critically interrogates data-driven technologies to assist instructors with engaging in debates around the ethical use of AI and issues of power. The article describes classroom activities applying this framework in an ethics course and discusses potential applications to additional nonprofit management areas.