The Charity AI Update - New online event on Tuesday 27 January 2026

Artificial Intelligence continues to reshape how charities operate, fundraise, and deliver services. But with the pace of change accelerating, it’s no longer enough to simply understand the basics. Charities need to stay alert to the latest developments, risks, and opportunities that AI brings to the sector. 

The Charity AI Update event is a focused half-day online event designed to bring you up to speed with what’s new and what’s next. You’ll get a refresher on the essentials alongside practical insights into the emerging AI tools, trends, and challenges shaping 2026. 

The event features expert-led talks, case studies, and practical sessions to help you put AI into action. Whether you’re exploring AI for the first time or already using it to enhance your organisation’s work, there’s a stream for you: 

• AI Foundations – for those new to AI who want to build confidence and understand the core principles 
• AI in Practice – for participants ready to deepen their knowledge and apply AI strategically in their role 

If you joined us for The Charity AI Conference in July, this half-day update is the perfect way to refresh your knowledge, explore what’s changed, and ensure your charity stays ready for the year ahead. 

Who should attend?  

This conference is for anyone working in the charity sector who wants to understand more about AI and how to practically use it to drive their charity forward. It is suitable for those new to AI and those who are already using AI in their role. 

The conference will be especially relevant to:  

• CEO’s and Directors 
• IT Managers 
• Marketing teams 
• Fundraising teams 
• Operations and Service Delivery teams 
• AI working groups 
• Trustees 

What’s included in the price?  

• Attendance to the online conference, keynote sessions and session talks  
• Access to all presentations and handouts  
• Copy of DSC’s AI Policy Template 

Agenda

09.30: Welcome – Join us for introductions, housekeeping rules.  

09.45:  Opening – Panel Discussion – What to expect in 2026 

A sector-focused overview of the biggest AI developments since our July conference. What are the major new tools, policy updates, risks and opportunities? What do charity leaders need to prioritise in 2026? 

10.30:  Breakout Sessions 

AI Foundations:

Understanding the Basics 

New to AI or still building your confidence? This session breaks down the essentials you need to get started. 

• What AI is (and isn’t) 
• Key terminology explained 
• The most widely used AI tools for charities today 
• Common myths and mistakes to avoid 

Perfect for anyone who wants a solid, jargon-free introduction before 

exploring AI in more depth. 

Speaker: George Knight, Training Consultant, DSC 

AI in Practice:

Navigating AI-Powered Search: What Charities Need to Know 

AI is changing the way people search for information – with generative search engines now answering questions directly instead of just showing links. This has big implications for how charities are discovered, how they communicate credibility, and how they can use these tools internally. 

This session will explore: 

• How AI search is reshaping SEO and online visibility for charities 
• The opportunities to use AI-powered search in research, fundraising and grant applications 
• The risks of misinformation, bias and over-reliance on generative search 
• Practical steps to make sure your charity remains findable, accurate and trusted in the age of AI search 

11.15:  Break 

11.30:  Session – Implementing AI in Your Charity: People, Culture and Policy 

Implementing AI successfully isn’t just about technology – it’s about people, culture and confidence. This session will guide you through how to introduce and embed AI across your organisation, ensuring your whole team feels informed, involved and invested in the process. 

You’ll also explore what to include in an effective AI policy and how to put it into practice in a way that supports innovation while managing risk. 

As part of your conference place, you’ll receive DSC’s AI Policy Template, which you can adapt and use to create your own policy. 

12.00:Breakout Sessions 

AI Foundations 

Responsible AI: Understanding Ethics, Inclusivity and Risks 

AI offers huge potential for charities, but it also raises important questions about fairness, inclusion and risk. This beginner-friendly session will help you understand how to use AI responsibly and confidently. 

We’ll cover: 

• What ethical and inclusive AI really means in practice 
• How bias can appear in AI tools and how to spot it 
• Key risks for charities to be aware of, from data privacy to misinformation 
• Simple steps to make sure your charity uses AI safely, fairly and in line with your values 

AI in Practice 

Building Your First AI Agent: A Practical Guide for Charities 

This practical session will guide you step-by-step through the process of building your own custom AI agent – a custom digital assistant that can automate tasks, answer questions, and support your charity’s day-to-day work. 

In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to design and create a simple AI agent tailored to your organisation’s needs, using accessible, low-code or no-code tools. 

We’ll cover: 

• What an AI agent is and how it differs from tools like ChatGPT 
• The steps to plan and build an agent safely and effectively 
• Real examples of how charities are already using AI agents for admin, fundraising and service delivery 
• Key things to consider before rolling one out to your team 

Speaker: José Blázquez, Marketing and Product Development Manager, DSC      

12.45:Case Study: A Charity’s First Six Months with AI 

In this session, we hear from a charity that has successfully used AI in its organisation. Join us as we learn from a real-life example of how a charity has successfully used AI and how you can replicate this success in your own organisation. 

13.15: Closing remarks 

13.25: Closes

Early bird available until Sunday 30 November 2025  

• Band A: £75  
• Band B: £85 
• Band C: £105 

Regular price bands from Monday 1 December 2025  

• Band A: £95 
• Band B: £105 
• Band C: £125