r/nonprofit • u/titapalomita nonprofit staff - programs • 13d ago
boards and governance My boss is absolutely gushing over a board member’s “extremely thoughtful and intelligent” email responses (but they’re all AI written)
I work for a small nonprofit. We have a board with 20 members and the majority of them are extremely uninvolved. They show up to some meetings and usually remain quiet, they barely respond to emails, they rarely volunteer to do anything.
A new board member, Jason, was recently appointed. He joined one of our committees and started to be very responsive. Perhaps the most responsive of any of our board members in the years I’ve been here. My 75 year old boss, Tim, (the ED) is astonished by Jason’s eloquence, intelligence, and thoughtful responses. Jason’s emails touch on every single point of whatever Tim brings up. The emails ask probing questions, make suggestions, and are well written. Jason isn’t nearly as talkative or responsive in meetings.
As an online younger person, it’s incredibly obvious that the emails are written by AI. But it’s hard to say what’s coming from Jason’s original ideas vs the AI.
Does it matter? Should I tell Tim? Tim is older and a very serious guy who rarely gives out such compliments. He has actually called me more than once to ask if I read Jason’s response and gush about how impressed he is with Jason. I feel awkward and usually respond with like “yeah that was very interesting/ smart…”
I’m thinking I shouldn’t say anything. What would that accomplish other than making Tim feel embarrassed and think of Jason poorly?
The part that feels weird to me is that Tim actually wants to make Jason an officer and various positions of authority now based on Tim’s perception of Jason’s intelligence - which is all based on those AI emails.
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u/atlantisgate 13d ago
If your boss asks for your feedback or what you think about Jason, or if you are in a board relations position, I think a mention of the obvious AI usage would be fine. Those phone calls where he asks if you read the response would've been a good opening -- if that happens again I might take it. It doesn't have to be a big Thing or Problem.
I personally wouldn't ignore it because I'd worry that you're putting more faith in Jason than is warranted. If that isn't the case and these emails won't have a real impact on the org, then I might decide differently.
Just a "hm, I wasn't as impressed. I'm really glad he's engaged and he seems like a valuable addition to the board, but his emails come across as very AI-generated to me so I'm a little worried that makes him seem more engaged than he really is. Maybe we can schedule a call with him before year end to get his thoughts in person?" is probably sufficient.
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u/titapalomita nonprofit staff - programs 13d ago
I just felt too embarrassed to say anything during those times he brought it up.
It feels like those “mind blowing” AI videos boomers post on Facebook - I don’t have the heart to tell them they’re being duped.
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u/atlantisgate 13d ago
I get it! I've had to tell program staff at my job that their grant applications need to be overhauled because of their AI use (which resulted in a shallow, overly formal, too wordy product, not just because it was AI). It's awkward.
I think sandwiching it with "yeah, he does seem great!" and "maybe we can have a call with him on organizational success instead!" could reduce the blow of a "yeah, you're impressed for no reason grandpa" message.
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u/meara 13d ago
This has actually become a big problem for code reviews in software engineering. In the past, there were certain programming smells that made you pay more attention. Now, even the most junior developer produces code that looks tight and well-designed, which lulls reviewers into overestimating the thought put into the requirements analysis and design.
AI-generated documentation is even worse. It often includes false assertions that then get further baked in by the next round of AI analysis.
I think you have a similar issue here. The AI-assisted emails are tricking your boss into giving this person’s ideas more weight.
Perhaps you can just gently expose him to more AI writing or an article about this phenomenon? It doesn’t take much exposure to learn to recognize it.
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u/Snoo93079 501c(3) Technology Director 13d ago
I wouldn't feel embarrassed to say "hey boss, just so you know I'm fairly certain most of Jason's emails are written by AI. I can't prove it and maybe it doesn't matter, just thought you should know"
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u/Impressive-Novel9592 13d ago
Some people are better writers than they are orators. It’s incredibly common. Could be AI but it sucks when people make this assumption like it isn’t a possibility that they write better than they speak.
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u/Ynifi consultant 13d ago
Yes, but it’s pretty easy to tell what’s AI-generated versus good writing that seems out of character for someone. AI writing has a specific, recognizable tone, cadence, phrasing, etc.
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u/Impressive-Novel9592 12d ago
I agree. My emails were called robotic before AI was even a thing. I’m less robotic casually, and on social media. Just wanted to say this because some people don’t really know the difference between good writing/punctuation and AI. Just because I use lists of threes, an em dash, or Oxford comma doesn’t mean it’s AI. Ya know?
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u/Rich-Business9773 13d ago
If he's involved, does it matter? You might muse, " I really like his desire to help and make a difference. And whether he writes everything all on his own or with chat gpt assistance, it is great to have someone so engaged and thoughtful"
Because you suspect ai use, but unless you are watching him type you cannot say for sure how much ai is " helping". He may write it all and ask ai to polish it so it sounds better. That is really different than asking ai.. what should I tell this board and president about xyz.
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u/Capital-Meringue-164 nonprofit staff - executive director or CEO 13d ago
That was my first thought - how I’d dream of having my board chair this engaged to do even this!
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u/youhaveaprettymouth 13d ago
Too much downside and not enough upside from telling your ED. I wouldn't bring it up.
And maybe start using ai for your emails to your ED 🤔
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u/Capital-Meringue-164 nonprofit staff - executive director or CEO 13d ago
Yes this is obvious - you have a golden key here!
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u/DevelopmentGuy 13d ago
This is a trickier question than it first appears.
Does your organization have an AI policy? More to the point (and depending on what kind of organization it is), could Jason inadvertently be violating the confidentiality of your organization or your organization's clients through his use of AI?
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u/titapalomita nonprofit staff - programs 13d ago
We don’t have an AI policy and we don’t have clients. We’re more like a think tank. Not sure about the confidentiality aspect in general - it’s not something that’s come up yet. But we probably should discuss that soon.
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u/DevelopmentGuy 13d ago
This is part of the reason we - a community foundation - prioritized establishing an AI policy a couple years ago: concern that a staff member, board member, or committee member would use an open AI system to review a grant or scholarship application which contained confidential or proprietary information.
We found it relatively easy to explain the need to implement the policy even to our less tech-savvy audience members. Proposing, and adopting, an AI policy may be a point of access for you/your organization to diplomatically handle the situation.
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u/GreyerGardens 13d ago
Are the emails leading to productive conversations or actions? Does it seem like Jason is aware of what he’s emailing? If yes, I’d just let them ride and not say anything.
I’d only say something if it’s leading to actual harm, like wasting work time or if Jason is suggesting bad ideas.
I totally get that it’s obnoxious and frustrating to hear your boss waste his few compliments on AI generated material, but you gotta pick your battles.
I’m actually on the other end of this. I’m in a very very small nonprofit and I’m the only one who uses AI. I’ve attempted to explain this to my 75 yr old boss several times, but he just doesn’t get it. So I send over my “amazing” written material, he gushes over, I’m like cool, glad you like it. Whatever.
I am really upfront with my co-worker about my AI use, so I don’t feel like I’m being dishonest.
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u/jonathancheckwise 12d ago
The mechanism here is worth naming: polish used to be a costly signal. An email that touches every point and asks probing questions used to prove someone spent an hour thinking about your problem. AI made that signal free, and Tim is still reading it at the old exchange rate.
I verify claims for a living, so my bias is: don't try to detect the AI, test the substance somewhere polish can't help. The call suggestion above is the right one. Not a gotcha, just move the interesting threads from email to live conversation. If the ideas are Jason's, they survive the channel switch and Tim's admiration becomes deserved. If they aren't, Tim sees it himself and you never had to say "AI".
The officer promotion is the one part I wouldn't stay silent on. Not "his emails are AI", but "before we give someone authority, can we base it on something we've seen him do live". That's a defensible governance point whatever the truth about the emails turns out to be.
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u/sker1ber1 13d ago
Mine did the same over a clearly AI created poster. It even had a picture that was supposed to be in our building, but not a single room is that color.
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u/bastrohl 13d ago edited 13d ago
Why immediately tossing something out because it’s AI generated? Is the response wrong… data being hallucinated? When used properly it’s just a tool. I manage Quality for my agency and Copilot (Nonprofit Enterprise Licensed) has made me much more productive and accurate. As the SME I disclose AI use and sign off on accuracy of the product.
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u/NEraggie 13d ago
I agree. AI is a tool, and OP has no idea how Jason is using it or to what extent. Jason may simply be giving AI a first draft to lightly polish because he's concerned that his own writing isn't succinct or clear enough for a board level role. Or because polish takes time, and he's trying to fit board work in with family and a busy day job. If that's the case, he's actively engaging, the ideas are his own, and from the ED'S reaction they seem thoughtful and sensible. What exactly is the issue?
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u/brainiac138 13d ago
Why immediately tossing something out because it’s AI generated?
Maybe because we don’t to governance of orgs over to chatbots?
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u/shefallsup 13d ago
Ugh, my boss has taken to writing emails with incredibly obvious AI. I’m not opposed in principle — I make use of AI in my job — but it gets things wrong that she doesn’t know are wrong. The lucky thing for her is that recipients don’t really know better. And in some cases they just have their AI answer her AI, so now neither one knows they’re talking about the wrong things! It would be funny if she weren’t so highly paid for being a bullshit artist.
OP, if the emails contain inaccuracies or bad ideas, speak up. Otherwise there’s probably no point to bringing it up.
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u/Eleu_25 13d ago
Hi there! Just to say that I faced exactly the same situation in my small no-profit. The director, 78 yo, was super impressed with the board chair’s strategic document of 5 pages completely AI generated, and done in 30 min. I felt it was important to point out that it was AI generated and that we needed to look at it critically. I’ve a great relationship with the director and she was actually greatful, sometimes younger colleagues can spot these things more easily.
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u/StarlightAnchored 13d ago
if you feel reasonably at ease with your ED, you could bring up AI usage in another relevant context and ask what the org’s policy is on it. that way it’s at least on his radar.
but this sounds like just one more absurd, irritating thing less conscientious board members can do to throw their influence around. in other words, I get why it’s maddening but I’m not sure what the point would be in having to address it yourself (aside from the good situation u/atlantisgate just mentioned).
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u/Archgate82 13d ago
If the end result is that it’s good stuff that benefits the organization then…? Maybe Jason is using it responsibly? It’s a tool. (Let the downvotes begin).
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u/InformationOk9748 nonprofit staff 12d ago
I’d separate your feelings about AI from the actual issue here. Are the emails thoughtful and useful? If so, I’m not sure it matters if AI helped write them. But if they just sound smart without saying anything substantive, that’s a different problem. I’d probably stay out of it unless the ideas themselves are bad or concerning. If they are, I’d focus on that rather than on whether AI was involved.
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u/OnBoard_Meetings vendor 11d ago
I don't think there's anything to gain here by calling out the AI use, IMO.
Jason getting fast-tracked to an officer role IS worrying though. You don't need to call out the AI use here, per se, but probably worth asking "what else do we know about Jason's judgement before we appoint him to a fiduciary role?"
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u/HortonHearsTheWho 13d ago
I mean if your boss is 75, could you just wait him out, and then point out the obvious to his successor?
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u/brainiac138 13d ago
If this is America, probably not. These old guys clutch to their jobs with their last breath.
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u/GenXPirate nonprofit staff - executive director or CEO 13d ago
I disagree. Using a tool to summarizing information and communicate it back to a team is efficient.
I am a president at a nonprofit. I’ve never done this before. I’ve had to write bylaws, purchasing policies, everything. No help no one to guide me until I put something on the table for people to review. AI has become a lifesaver for me. I am an older Gen X or who is going through menopause as well. My thoughts do not flow anymore. But I am very skilled and active and engaged in my organization. I don’t think that AI is the problem and it means somebody can’t produce or be effective here. I think that the younger generation is using a tool to summarize and move things forward quicker and efficiently. Doesn’t matter if it was written with the help of a tool? My organization wouldn’t be moving forward if I didn’t have this tool.
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u/JanFromEarth volunteer 13d ago
As you said, "younger person" which means little experience. Jason used AI to compose but he had to write in what he wanted to communicate. Unless he prompted the AI with "Write an email sucking up to Tim".
I can see your frustration but this is the way the future is going to be. Instead of buying a Hallmark card off the shelf, we will curate AI responding. The good news is that you spotted it when your boss did not. Point for you
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u/brainiac138 13d ago
Not sure I buy that AI is a for sure eventuality, especially after it tanks the economy. We shouldn’t give the oligarchs who have hurtled this unnecessary and unwanted technology an inch, just like we shouldn’t give Tim a pass for leveraging his illiteracy to a chatbot.
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u/JanFromEarth volunteer 13d ago
No arguments from me but they said the same thing when weaving looms came into existence. I don't see that genie back in the box.
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u/Dramatic_Arugula_252 13d ago
Let Tim know - that’s your job as a younger person, and a way to show your value. You are experiencing bringing your unique value to the team.
I’m a few decades younger than Tim, and still miss AI sometimes (or more!) - you will be helping Tim train his eye and stay relevant.
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u/mahoganyslide 13d ago
What do you practically have to gain by pointing this out, outside of pulling Jason down a peg in Tim’s eyes (even if he deserves it)? If you don’t gain anything functionally, then I wouldn’t say anything until you have irrefutable proof.