A new report, CASE Insights on Artificial Intelligence in Advancement, in partnership with GiveCampus, was released in March 2024. In November and December 2023, advancement professionals from across the globe (totaling 211 institutions) weighed in on how this emerging technology could shift their approach to work.
The pulse survey is the second in a series that gathers insights on topical issues and aims to supplement data CASE collects in annual benchmarking surveys. The findings from the first, CASE Insights on Advancement Metrics that Matter (United States), were published in 2023. The report summarizes which metrics respondents feel are most important for measuring the impact of advancement work across the areas of philanthropy, engagement, and marketing and communications.
The AI in Advancement survey findings provide insights on the extent to which advancement professionals are integrating AI into their work, what they view as the primary opportunities presented by this new technology, and what their concerns are regarding its use. It was designed to help with evaluation and optimization of the use of AI.
Among the key takeaways:
- Nearly 70% of respondents reported that they and/or their advancement teams currently use AI, with 82.9% of adoption driven by individuals. Respondents reported primarily using AI to personalize outreach to stakeholders and facilitate other writing tasks, like creating proposals, marketing copy, and email messages. They were much less likely to report using AI to perform data analysis or support strategic decision-making.
- 39.5% reported that using AI had an impact on efficiency and 35.4% reported an impact on productivity.
- Two-thirds of respondents described their teams as "cautious" or "resistant" with regard to new technologies, and 67% of respondents said they are unsure how key stakeholders, like donors and alumni, perceive the use of AI in communications and interactions.
Read the full report here.