As a charity that champions transparency, we want to be clear about how we use AI. As AI technology – and our understanding of it – continues to evolve, we expect our approach will evolve too. 

Right now, our focus is on using AI in a respectful and responsible way. That includes recognising ethical concerns such as protecting individuals’ data, the high energy demands of AI systems, and questions around how AI is trained – particularly when it involves creative work like image generation and the potential to reinforce bias or present false information. 

We don’t see AI as a tool to replace humans. Instead, we see it a potential tool for supporting people to do more – whether that’s within our own team, or researchers using AI for things like meta-analysis, data modelling, or simulations that could help speed up the shift away from animal research. 

Using AI in Research: A case-by-case approach 

We’re open to researchers using AI tools as part of their work. AI can be a powerful aid for tasks like data analysis, literature reviews, simulations, or other in silico (computer-based) methods — all of which might help replace animal research.  

AI can also enhance in silico research by integrating diverse human-relevant datasets, improving predictive models, and enabling more realistic virtual trials that better reflect human biology. 

That said, we recognise AI isn’t a perfect solution and doesn’t always deliver reliable or ethical outcomes. AI can enforce bias rather than challenge it, particularly if trained on animal-derived data, which risks reinforcing the belief that animal research is the ‘gold’ standard. 

We evaluate the use of AI in each project individually, focusing on how it contributes to our core mission: replacing animal research and promoting rigorous, high-quality science. 

Our priority is always on methods that genuinely advance animal-free research while maintaining strong scientific standards. 

Using AI in grant applications 

We’re not against applicants using AI to help prepare their applications – it can be a useful tool for things like simplifying complex ideas, checking tone, or proofreading. 

What matters to us is that your application genuinely reflects your understanding, experience, and voice. 

For example, it’s fine to use AI to help simplify or fine-tune a non-technical summary – but only if you fully understand what’s written and could explain it confidently if asked. 

We value authenticity, thoughtfulness, and passion. Please don’t feel pressure to “sound perfect” – we’d rather hear you. 

How we keep your personal info safe  

We do not put personal or sensitive data into large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or similar tools. This includes supporter data, financial information, internal documents, and any other confidential material. 

Some of the tools we use, like our contact management system, offer AI features as part of their software. These are built-in by the platforms themselves and can’t always be switched off. However, we’ve checked that these tools remain fully GDPR compliant, and no personal data is used to train or improve third-party AI models. 

Examples of software we use include: 

• Mailerlite, for our newsletter 

• Beacon CRM, to manage our database 

• Microsoft 365, for communication and daily work 

That means your data is not being shared with companies like OpenAI, and it’s not being sold, reused, or fed into any public AI system. 

We regularly review our tools and contracts to make sure your data stays private, secure, and is only used in ways that align with our values. 

You can find more information about how we ensure your privacy in our Privacy Policy 

Using AI in CVs and job applications 

Your CV and application are how we get to know you — your skills, experience, and personality. 

If your application sounds very different from how you actually communicate, it can create confusion and make it harder for us to understand who you really are. 

We want to work with the real you, not an AI-generated version. So please use AI tools thoughtfully, and make sure your application truly reflects your voice and style. 

How we handle job and grant applications 

We do not use AI to review job, volunteer, or grant applications. 

Job and volunteer applications are reviewed by: 

• Members of the Replacing Animal Research team 

• Members of our Trustee board, where appropriate 

Grant applications are reviewed by: 

• Our Research Manager 

• Other relevant team members 

• Our Scientific Advisory Panel 

We recognise that AI can be a useful tool for summarising information and highlighting key skills, but it can also overlook important nuance and, in some cases, reinforce bias or the status quo. 

We respect the time and effort that goes into every application, and we make sure to return that effort in how we review and provide feedback. 

AI and its environmental impact 

AI requires significant energy and contributes to carbon emissions. 

As a remote charity, we avoid some environmental costs—like paper use and travel emissions—but we understand that digital tools still have an impact. 

Using AI responsibly means balancing the benefits it brings with the energy it consumes. 

Our commitment is to use AI thoughtfully and purposefully, minimising unnecessary waste while advancing our mission to replace animal research. 

Our stance on AI and ethics  

Legislation is still catching up with AI, and much of the data used to train AI models has been obtained in ways that raise ethical concerns. 

For example, large amounts of artwork have been used without artists’ permission to teach AI how to generate images, and people’s likenesses have sometimes been exploited to create deepfake models. There is also the fact that AI can enforce bias rather than challenge and help individuals grow and explore new perspectives.

These are complex ethical issues, and our stance will evolve as AI technology and its impacts develop. 

At present, we do not use AI to generate images or other creative content. If this changes, we will always clearly disclose where and how AI has been used. 

Our AI Checklist 

Before using AI for a task, we ask: 

1. Is AI the best tool for this task?

• Does it save time or improve quality? 

• Or will it create more editing, verification, or rework? 

2. Does using AI respect privacy and data protection?

• Will any personal or sensitive data be input? 

• Are the AI tools GDPR compliant and secure? 

3. Are there ethical considerations?

• Could AI usage unintentionally reinforce bias or harm? 

• Are we transparent about AI’s involvement? 

4. Will AI use reduce our environmental impact or add to it?

• Is the energy cost justified by the benefits gained? 

5. Can the output be clearly understood and controlled by a human?

• Can team members verify and explain AI-generated content? 

• Is it easy to spot and fix errors or inaccuracies? 

6. Does AI usage align with our mission and values?

• Does it help us replace animal research or support good science? 

• Does it maintain respect for human skills and creativity? 

7. Is the AI tool accessible and usable for the team?

• Is the learning curve reasonable? 

• Do we have adequate support and training? 

8. Are we transparent with stakeholders about AI use?

• Will it be clearly communicated internally and externally if AI is used?

 Contacting us

If you have any questions about our AI Policy, or anything at all, please contact us by email at hello@replacinganimalresearch.org.uk, by telephone on +44 (0)115 958 4740 .