PROTOTYPE Smarter, Faster, Kinder: Ethical AI Tools Every Gift Planner Should Be Using Now-Recording: Smarter, Faster, Kinder

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar introduced CGP’s 2026 specialty series and focused on how AI can support gift planners in an ethical, human-centered way. Sherian Koshi emphasized that AI should not replace human judgment or become “the voice in the room” with donors. Instead, it should act as a helper for preparation, translation, and follow-through.<br /><br />He began by acknowledging common feelings about AI: curiosity, optimism, privacy concerns, overwhelm, and skepticism. He also addressed the environmental impact of AI and noted that this is a broader societal issue, not one solved by simply avoiding one tool.<br /><br />The core framework he presented was three ethical use zones:<br />1. Smarter preparation – using AI to analyze existing donor data and surface better questions, not predict exact gifts.<br />2. Clearer translation – turning complex planned giving concepts, like CRTs, into simple metaphors and visuals tailored to donor interests.<br />3. Kinder follow-through – using AI to transcribe notes, format CRM entries, and draft thank-you messages or action items.<br /><br />Koshi demonstrated examples with enterprise and non-enterprise tools, stressing the importance of privacy, anonymization, and strong organizational policies. He warned against “shadow AI,” where staff use AI secretly, and urged transparency and accountability.<br /><br />His bottom line: AI can improve donor conversations by reducing friction and increasing clarity, but only when used carefully, ethically, and with humans making the final decisions.

Keywords

AI ethics

gift planning

planned giving

human-centered AI

donor communication

privacy

donor data

CRM automation

ethical AI use

shadow AI