Automation and AI aren’t synonymous, but there is a relationship. As AI capabilities have improved, more companies are using it to automate parts of the business that previously were human-touch only. Deciding what to automate and how to use technology for the greatest impact, is something our Fast Company Impact Council members think about daily. Here’s what 24 members said about how they incorporate automation, and how that has changed over time.

1. SCALE CONSISTENCY AND FAIRNESS

Automation and AI are most valuable when they reclaim time for high-impact, human-centered work. In mission-driven organizations like ours, core functions—relationship-building, equity-centered design, and complex judgment—cannot be automated. Instead, we apply AI to scale consistency and fairness. For example, funders spend an average of four minutes reviewing a grant application. We built an AI-powered review tool to standardize evaluations and reduce bias, while keeping humans accountable for final decisions.…