Fundmetric and Acadia University are teaming up to host the Fundraising AI Forum 2021, a virtual event that shows non-profits the advantages of advanced technologies like AI and how to adopt them.

The event, which will be held May 18, will feature several experts in AI adoption, who will discuss the capabilities of AI and show non-profits how they can use it to their advantage.

Fundmetric, a Halifax company that helps non-profits raise money from philanthropists, has posted more information about the Fundraising AI Forum and a booking page here.

"The Non-profit AI Forum is designed to give non-profit leaders access to the latest technology and reposition the non-profit sector from being under-served to first in line to access experts and learn the tactics that can give the third sector the edge," said Fundmetric CEO Mark Hobbs in a statement.

The thinking behind the virtual conference is that the pandemic has created a difficult environment for non-profits, and AI can help improve their chances to survive and thrive. The experts speaking at the conference will give non-profit executives the information they need to develop AI strategies. They will delve into the ethics and digital challenges faced by non-profits, and examine such issues as planned giving, major gifts, donor retention, donor experience, and AI adoption experts.

The speakers include: Micah Berman, Manager of Product and AI at Google.org; Senator Colin Deacon; David Janes of the Okinawa Institute for Science and Technology; Mark Koenig, Chief Innovation Officer of Oregon State University; Senator Ratna Omidvar; Dr. Amir Pasic, Dean of the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy; AI Expert Barney Pell; Dr. Russel James, Professor of Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University; Ajith Kumar and Aishwarya Vaishali of Acadia University; and Judy Zhu, Interim Director at the Canadian Cancer Society.

In an interview, Hobbs said the speakers include such noted investors as Pell, a leading fellow with the Creative Destruction Lab in Toronto. He said it will benefit the local community to have them participating in Nova Scotian events.

"The non-profit sector is in an era of transition,” said Hobbs.  “As donors become more informed and increasingly sophisticated, they are demanding more from non-profits. With that said, the collaborative discussions seek to guide non-profits on how they should prepare for the future."