AI has arrived in social care: supporting providers with adoption

Artificial intelligence is already being used across social care, but providers need greater support to adopt it safely and effectively while keeping people at the centre of care.

New research from the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, Serene Care, the Digital Care Hub and Care England explores how care leaders are using AI, the challenges they face and the support needed for successful implementation.

The qualitative study includes a survey of 26 care leaders and 20 interviews. This publication presents the survey findings and initial considerations for a roadmap to support providers, with a fuller report incorporating the interviews due later this year.

The majority of survey respondents used AI daily, with applications including drafting care plans, analysing care notes, medication management, recruitment and AI-enabled falls prevention. Despite low levels of formal training, most respondents using AI felt somewhat or very confident, with many having developed their own policies and governance systems.

However, respondents consistently identified uncertainty around AI governance requirements as a major challenge. They highlighted a need for clearer regulatory expectations, better training opportunities and peer support, alongside a more consistent approach from commissioners and regulators.

The findings also show that AI can create additional responsibilities. Care leaders described the need to check AI-generated information for accuracy, bias and completeness, alongside concerns about data privacy, overreliance on technology and the potential loss of the human element of care.

Time and affordability were further barriers, with respondents reporting limited opportunities to explore and test products, concerns about expensive or unreliable systems, and a need for better technical support.

The report calls for a more supportive, transparent and collaborative approach to AI adoption, including funding and guidance for digital training. It also highlights the need for the Casey Commission to consider the role of technology in a future care system focused on outcomes for people drawing on care and those working in services.

Download the report to explore the findings and proposed roadmap in full.