AI and Me: Excited, Curious... and a Little Afraid (OK…Maybe A Lot Afraid)

By Zoe Lyons, Nonprofit Network

I'll be honest.

I use AI almost every day.

I use it to help organize my thoughts, create first drafts, brainstorm workshop ideas, summarize information, and even help me stare down a blank screen when I can't find the right words. For someone who spends much of her time writing, facilitating, coaching, and building capacity, AI has become a surprisingly useful tool.

And yet, I'm also afraid of it.

Not because I think robots are taking over the world (though I do wonder), but because I know that every major technological shift changes how we work, communicate, and connect. As someone whose career is built on relationships, trust, storytelling, and human connection, I sometimes wonder: What happens if we become too dependent on technology? What happens if efficiency comes at the expense of authenticity?

These are real questions, and I don't think nonprofits should ignore them.

At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity.

Our sector is constantly being asked to do more with less. More services. More outcomes. More reporting. More fundraising. More communications. More everything. AI has the potential to reduce some of those burdens, giving nonprofit professionals more time to do what only humans can do: build relationships, create community, inspire change, and care for people.

The nonprofits I see thriving are not asking whether AI is good or bad. They're asking better questions:

• How can AI help us advance our mission?
• Where can it save time without sacrificing quality?
• What ethical boundaries should we establish?
• How do we use it responsibly while keeping people at the center?

I don't believe AI is the future of nonprofit work.

I believe people are.

But I do believe AI will be part of our future, whether we want it or not, and we have a choice about how we engage with it.

So I continue to learn. I continue to experiment. And yes, I continue to feel a little nervous.

Perhaps that's exactly where we should be: curious enough to explore, cautious enough to ask good questions, and hopeful enough to imagine what's possible.

That's why Nonprofit Network is hosting an AI Panel of Experts Workshop on November 6. This isn't a session designed to convince you that AI is the answer to everything. It's an opportunity to hear from people who are actively using AI, wrestling with its challenges, exploring its possibilities, and thinking critically about its impact on our sector. Whether you're excited, skeptical, nervous, or simply curious, this conversation is for you.

Together, we'll explore how AI can support nonprofit missions, what risks we should pay attention to, and how organizations can adopt these tools thoughtfully and responsibly. Most importantly, we'll discuss how to ensure that technology serves people, not the other way around.

If you're wondering where to begin, or if you're trying to figure out how AI fits into your organization's future, I hope you'll join us on November 6.

Because AI may be a powerful tool.

But our humanity, our compassion, and our commitment to mission will always be what matters most.

Join us on November 6th and be part of the conversation about the future of nonprofits, technology, and the human connections that drive lasting change.

If you need more information or would like to speak to one of our consultants about coaching or consulting work, or you need assistance for your organization, please contact us here.