Carolyn Woodard covers three topics shaping the nonprofit AI conversation right now: the real environmental costs of AI infrastructure, whether the AI market is actually a bubble, and a new survey that gives nonprofits a direct voice in shaping what comes next. This episode helps you move from anxious or skeptical observer to informed, active participant.

This episode covers:

AI data centers consume enormous energy and water, but the environmental picture is more nuanced than early viral statistics suggested. Cooling accounts for roughly 40% of data center energy use, and about 80% of water consumption comes from electricity generation, making this a grid problem as much as a local one.
The AI market is consolidating faster than previous technology cycles. For nonprofits that have been waiting for the dust to settle, the more useful question now is: what is the cost of continuing to wait?
82% of nonprofits are already using AI for internal operations, per Fast Forward's 2025 report, but nonprofits using free, off-the-shelf tools are less likely to have policies or risk controls in place.
The Fast Forward 2026 AI for Humanity survey interest form is open now. If you are the person at your organization who knows the most about how AI is being used, your participation shapes how funders and policymakers understand what nonprofits actually need.
Practical next steps suggestions: develop a policy, identify low-stakes pilots, check in on AI regularly at all-staff meetings, and ask your vendors about their clean energy and water commitments.

Resources Mentioned:

Fast Forward 2025 AI for Humanity Report
Fast Forward 2026 Survey interest form (open now)
Data Centers and Water Consumption — EESI
Data Center Water Use Explainer — MOST Policy Initiative
About That AI Bubble — The Atlantic (May 2026)

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