AI is evolving fast—but where does it actually create value in grantmaking?

In a space built on trust, transparency, and human judgment, the promise of AI is both exciting and complex. Funders are asking important questions: Where can AI truly accelerate impact? Where should humans stay firmly in control? And how do we balance innovation with responsibility?

This session cuts through the hype to share what we’re learning directly from the field. Drawing on real customer research from grantmakers across regions and segments, we’ll explore how AI is being evaluated, adopted, and—at times—approached with caution.

You’ll get a clear view of:

• Where AI is delivering meaningful value today—from streamlining application review to uncovering insights across portfolios
• Where hesitation remains—including areas like decision-making, bias, and trust
• What’s driving (or slowing) adoption across different types of funders
• How these insights are shaping the next generation of agentic, AI-powered tools designed specifically for grantmaking workflows

We’ll connect these findings to the broader shift toward agentic AI—systems that don’t just assist, but can act, adapt, and collaborate alongside teams. Most importantly, we’ll discuss what this means for your organization: where to lean in, where to stay cautious, and how to prepare for what’s next.

Whether you’re actively exploring AI or still evaluating its role, you’ll leave with a grounded, practical perspective on how to harness AI to drive greater efficiency, deeper insight, and ultimately—greater impact.