Using AI in your work with us

Our statement on the use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Meta AI) for applications and reporting.

Our view of AI in applications

Using AI tools alone will not disadvantage your application. But be careful of how it is used.

AI tools are increasingly becoming a part of our day-to-day lives.

In the workplace, they can support a range of tasks, and we recognise there are potential benefits to applicants, grant holders and consultants using these tools.

Generative AI can save time, and it can make processes more accessible such as by helping with translation or transcription.

For these reasons, we accept the use of AI tools in making applications. There are, however, ways AI can be used in applications which are cause for concern, which are detailed below.

Concerns about AI

Ethics

AI tools present a number of ethical concerns, both in how they’re made and how they’re used. These include:

in-built biases and reinforcement of discrimination
use of data and imagery without consent in training AI models
lack of regulation
human and environmental costs that come from an increased use of AI technologies

We consider these concerns in our own work and value those we work with taking these into account too.

Uniqueness

As use of AI increases, we are more able to identify similarities in language and the points being made in applications.

This can make it more difficult to understand what is different or special about an applicant, or the work they are describing. This is likely to disadvantage an application – whether for a job or a funding application.

When using AI, you should consider whether:

your unique perspective, creativity and insights come through
your application is a true reflection of you and how you communicate

We believe these are incredibly important to help us work effectively together to achieve our common goals.

Accuracy

AI tools can also generate inaccurate or misleading content. When using content generated by AI, consider:

including trusted resources or references for information you’re sharing
tailoring content produced by AI to make sure it accurately reflects you and your work

Our expectations on the use of AI

In general, we’d ask anyone working with us to use AI tools responsibly, following relevant legal and ethical standards.

As an applicant

If you’re using AI in any of your grant or job application, we’d ask that you also:

consider the tendency of generative AI tools to provide generic content, and make sure what you share with us conveys what is unique, valuable and distinctive about you and your work
are responsible for the accuracy and honesty of the information contained within an application to us

As a grant holder or contractor

If you are working with us, either as someone hired by the Foundation or in receipt of funding, we’d ask you to:

make sure you do not share personal or confidential data with any generative AI tools, unless you have explicit permission to do so
not share any confidential information that belongs or relates to the Foundation
acknowledge any outputs from generative AI in your work or your reporting to us, and
follow any more detailed guidance that we provide as part of contracts or grant agreements

As a funder, we are still learning more about and exploring the potential implications of AI tools. We welcome opportunities to share and learn from others and we anticipate our position may evolve along with the technology.