New National AI Initiative to Strengthen AI Safety and Capability Across Sector

EMBARGOED, 2 December, 10 am AEDT – MEL – Infoxchange has received funding from the Australian Government through the National AI Centre to support Australia’s not-for-profit sector adopt artificial intelligence safely, ethically and responsibly.

The announcement comes as new findings from the 2025 Infoxchange Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit Sector Report, which surveyed 824 not-for-profits, revealed a widening capability gap. AI use is accelerating rapidly across charities and not-for-profit organisations, yet the foundations necessary for safe and effective implementation, including policies, governance, AI capabilities, and infrastructure, are lagging behind.

This year’s AI-related findings include:

• AI adoption in the sector has doubled in the last 12 months, but only 14% of organisations have an AI policy or governance framework.
• While 44% of surveyed organisations now rank data and reporting for evidence-based decision making as their top priority (up from 17% in 2023), 25% of surveyed orgs identify a lack of data and analytical skills as their main barrier to improving capabilities.
• 44% of surveyed organisations ranked access to affordable skills and technical resources as a top challenge (up from 35% in 2023), second only to budget and funding challenges (ranked a top challenge by 59% of organisations).

AI Capability Is Now Essential Social Infrastructure

David Spriggs, CEO of Infoxchange, said the funding arrives at a critical moment for the sector:

“AI capability is now essential social infrastructure, not a nice-to-have. Organisations must be supported to use AI and emerging technologies safely, ethically and responsibly. This initiative ensures Australian charities and not-for-profits of all sizes can benefit from the use of AI, and deliver more effective services to communities in need.”

Lee Hickin, Director, National AI Centre, shared: 

"We know that non-profits, like all Australian organisations, can benefit from the use of AI. Whether in service delivery, volunteer management or fundraising, AI is an invaluable tool to help non-profits achieve their social purpose. However, it will be critical to ensure AI is used safely and responsibly. Through our partnership with Infoxchange, we aim to grow confidence and unlock capability for Australian non-profits, enabling them to harness AI for greater social impact."

Fiorella Recchi, Governance and Executive Officer of the Parent and Citizen Foundation, representing nearly 2,000 school communities, sought support to perform a structure risk assessment across data privacy, bias and fairness, resource sustainability and technical complexity. “With the support of Infoxchange, we conducted an AI feasibility session using the NAIC Voluntary AI Safety Standard, identifying key risks and clear mitigation steps. We now have a focused, responsible AI roadmap that balances innovation with duty of care."

How the Initiative Will Support the Sector

With NAIC’s support, Infoxchange will deliver free, practical and accessible resources through the Digital Transformation Hub (which reaches more than 25,000 NFP organisations), including:

• Practical guides and templates to support the safe and responsible adoption of AI
• Resources to identify and engage AI providers
• Real-world case studies showcasing AI implementation in the sector
• National webinars and training sessions for not-for-profit leaders, Board members, staff and volunteers
• One-on-one consultations to help organisations make informed decisions about AI use

As part of this initiative, Infoxchange will host a webinar to support the launch, ‘AI Decision Making Made Simple: Pathways and Procurement Checklists for NFPs’ on 4 December, 2025. The webinar will be recorded and available for staff and volunteers via the AI Community Platform.

This initiative will help NFPs embed responsible AI practices, lift confidence, and ensure digital technology and AI strengthens, not compromises, their impact.

A coordinated national approach across government, industry and the sector aims to ensure that AI and emerging technologies can improve service delivery, strengthen trust and improve outcomes for the people who rely on essential community services.

ENDS