YNPN Chicago AI Policy
Effective as of March 2, 2026.
In support of YNPN Chicago’s commitment to an anti-racist future, our organization continues to evolve our internal and external practices and policies.
While Language Learning Models (LLM), commonly referred to as Generative AI, can aid in their assistive capabilities in a variety of ways, it is our responsibility to acknowledge and understand the harm they bring by “[deliberating] targeting of predominantly BIPOC and low-income communities for polluting industries and the placement of toxic waste,” (Feminist Majority Foundation).
As a result, YNPN Chicago has outlined how our organization intends to engage with Generative AI, including, but not limited to, ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), DALL-E, and GitHub Copilot.
Internal Use of AI
YNPN Chicago is an entirely volunteer-led organization and does not prohibit the use of AI by YNPN board members. We ensure that our board members who choose to engage with AI tools understand their responsibility to recognize that auto-generated work may contain inaccuracies, reflect bias, and limit fairness and inclusion. YNPN board members who engage with AI tools are encouraged to review, fact-check, and ensure the accuracy of their work, using AI to assist, not replace.
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YNPN believes it is acceptable for board members to use:
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AI tools embedded in platforms such as Slack, Google, and Zoom are to be used for note-taking and summaries
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LLMs to generate ideas, create outlines, and refine existing concepts
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Identifying trends or summarizing large datasets
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AI translation tools
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AI transcription tools
YNPN does not consider it acceptable for board members to use:
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AI-Generated content as final work without human review
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AI for hiring decisions or personnel evaluations
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AI tools for legal and financial guidance
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Initial drafts of emails, reports, or summaries generated by AI tools
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Copyrighted materials modified by AI
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AI-assisted decision-making and evaluation in grantmaking or selective programs, such as The Growth Grant and Leadership Institute
External Use of AI
YNPN Chicago encourages its external constituents, including, but not limited to, YNPN members; contractors; sponsors; program, board, and grant applicants; and other partners, to evaluate and understand their responsibilities and relationships regarding Generative AI. By choosing to engage with AI tools, YNPN external constituents should recognize that auto-generated work may contain inaccuracies, reflect bias, and limit fairness and inclusion. External constituents who engage with AI tools are encouraged to review, fact-check, and ensure the accuracy of their work, using AI to assist, not replace.
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Specifically for applicants to programs such as The Growth Grant, Leadership Institute, or YNPN Board, it is important to ensure your personal experience is reflected in your application responses. Applicants choosing to utilize AI tools for their application should disclose their usage if AI was the primary contributor to the final written work or response, and/or was responsible for a majority of the final content. If AI was the primary contributor, include a general statement in the response:
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“This [response] was generated using [AI tool] and reviewed for accuracy and completeness.”
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Applicants who disclose their usage of AI tools will not be penalized in the evaluation process, so long as their responses are personable and accurate.
Sources
How AI is Fueling a New Wave of Environmental Racism, Feminist Majority Foundation
Responsibility of AI Adoption in Philanthropy, Grantmakers in Technology
Use of Artificial Intelligence, MacArthur Foundation
Nothing About Us, Without Us: Disability Justice and AI, Kenrya Rankin
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