Federal AI Action Plan RFI - AI Analysis of Nonprofit Responses

In response to the federal AI Action Plan RFI, nonprofits urged the federal government to lead with strong national standards, robust research, and clear coordination. Their highest priorities include responsible data use, national security, and public trust, with special attention to the needs of tribal and underrepresented communities. Nonprofits envision AI as a force for positive change, provided it is developed and governed with equity, accountability, and transparency at the forefront.

While optimistic about the potential for innovation, nonprofit respondents emphasize the need for active government oversight, security, and the protection of vulnerable populations. There is broad consensus that federal leadership and inclusive, ethical policy are crucial to ensure that AI benefits the public interest and advances the common good.

A sentiment analysis revealed a balance of optimism, neutrality, and critical feedback within nonprofit responses, which at a high level broke down into three groups of viewpoints:

• ~65% positive/proactive: Focus on opportunity, partnership, and improvement.

• ~30% analytical/neutral: Recommendations, sectoral analysis, legal context.

• ~5% concern/critical: Security, ethics, inclusion, government responsibility.

Nonprofits offered a variety of recommendations to guide national AI Action Plan. The following points capture the suggestions that appeared most frequently across submissions.

• Develop strong, clear national standards for data and AI.

• Ensure government action and coordination, especially federal leadership.

• Prioritize research, innovation, and secure, ethical development.

• Address security, public trust, and protection of vulnerable communities.

• Support inclusive policy—note explicit references to tribal and diverse public interests.

In addition to common priorities, nonprofits raised several unique or particularly noteworthy points. Interestingly, the word “Tribal” was unusually prominent in this category of responses, suggesting that many nonprofits focused on indigenous, tribal, or marginalized groups. With respect to balancing innovation and caution, many responses urged both active development and strong security/ethical standards. And finally, health and public benefit themes were highly visible, along with articulating the need for government accountability and the responsible use of data.