Target Audience
Non-profit staff in operations, communications, fundraising, administration, and governance roles who need to understand the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with using AI in their work. Particularly relevant for anyone with responsibility for AI tool selection, data handling, safeguarding, communications sign-off, or organisational policy. Suitable for attendees who already use AI tools informally, and for those whose organisations are now being asked by funders, boards, or regulators to demonstrate they are using AI responsibly. No legal or technical background required.
Outline
1. Why This Matters for Non-Profits
- Why AI compliance and ethics have moved from “nice to have” to a governance issue
- Funder expectations and the shifting regulatory landscape
- Safeguarding obligations for organisations working with children or vulnerable adults
- The reputational stakes of getting AI wrong in a sector built on trust
- What “responsible AI use” actually means for a non-profit
2. The EU AI Act Explained
- Plain-English walkthrough of what the Act is and who it applies to
- The risk-based approach at the heart of the legislation
- The four risk categories — unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal
- Examples drawn from non-profit contexts: CV screening, chatbots on service websites, AI-generated campaign imagery, eligibility assessment tools
- Key enforcement dates already in force and what's coming next
3. Ireland's Enforcement Architecture
- The AI Office of Ireland (Oifig IS na hÉireann) and its coordinating role
- The 13+ sectoral regulators with enforcement responsibilities in their own domains
- Ireland's graduated enforcement pathway — investigation, contravention notice, prohibition notice, adjudication, High Court confirmation
- The public sector fine cap of €1 million and what it means for charities delivering public services
- The Provider vs Deployer distinction and why most non-profits are deployers with real obligations under Article 26
4. Ethics in Practice
- Bias and fairness in AI outputs
- Transparency with service users and donors
- Consent and data protection when feeding information into AI tools
- Sensitivities specific to non-profit work: client data, case notes, beneficiary imagery, communications about vulnerable groups
- Worked examples of where organisations have got this wrong
- Key questions to ask before using AI in a given situation
5. Building an AI Policy for Your Organisation
- Mapping AI usage across the organisation
- Classifying risk and assigning responsibility
- Setting principles and planning oversight
- Embedding the policy through staff training, procurement checks, and an AI system register
- A clear policy framework attendees can adapt rather than a template to copy
6. Q&A and Next Steps
- Open questions
- Resources for staying current as the law evolves
- Signposting to further support
Methodology
Delivered via Zoom.
Instructor
Seán Fahey
Motivated, passionate and creative with a sharp eye for what makes brands 'pop' in Ireland today. Seán has a long history in journalism and PR, having served as The Irish Daily Star's Digital Content Editor (spearheading buzz.ie) and more recently, Head of Digital Communications at Gibney Communications, managing the accounts of some of Ireland's largest companies in the retail, construction and technology sectors.
With a wide-varying experience in the communications and media field, Seán brings a complete offering to his clients, no matter what their need, offering unique solutions and the kind of top-tier results that they require.
Outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will:
• Understand the EU AI Act’s risk-based approach and how it applies to common non-profit activities.
• Know who enforces the Act in Ireland, how enforcement is structured, and what the financial and reputational exposure looks like for their organisation.
• Be able to identify whether their organisation is a provider or deployer under the Act, and what obligations follow.
• Understand the key ethical considerations — bias, transparency, consent, data protection — as they apply specifically to non-profit contexts.
• Have a clear framework for developing or reviewing an AI policy for their organisation.
• Know where to go for ongoing updates as Ireland’s own AI legislation progresses.
Carmichael’s Autumn Winter 2026 Scheduled Training Programme is kindly sponsored by BoardEffect.
BoardEffect is part of Diligent, the leader in modern governance. BoardEffect delivers an agile board management solution optimised for governance leaders of nonprofits, higher education institutions, community healthcare organisations, and credit unions with the right tools, analytics, and insights to drive more efficient, transparent, and secure governance.
Fees
| €80 | Nonprofit Organisation |
| €70 | Carmichael Resident Organisation |
| €90 | Statutory Organisation |
| €90 | Corporate Organisation |