Most surveyed UK care leaders use AI daily, but governance rules remain unclear
AI has arrived in social care services, according to a new report from the Institute for Ethics in AI, Serene Care, the Digital Care Hub and Care England. The majority of surveyed care leaders use AI daily, yet they consistently name uncertainty around governance requirements as a major challenge.
- A survey of 26 care leaders and 20 interviews underpin the study by the Institute for Ethics in AI, Serene Care, the Digital Care Hub and Care England.
- The majority of survey respondents used AI daily, including for care plans, care notes, medication management, recruitment and falls prevention.
- Uncertainty around AI governance requirements was consistently named as a major challenge.
- Leaders must check AI output for accuracy, bias and completeness, and cite concerns about privacy and loss of the human element of care.
- The full report including interview results is due later this year.
What the study covered
The qualitative study was led by Dr Caroline Emmer De Albuquerque Green, Palvi Dodhia, Director of Serene Care, and Katie Thorn from the Digital Care Hub and Care England. It explores how care leaders are using AI, the challenges they face and the support needed for successful, ethical implementation.
The research includes a survey of 26 care leaders and 20 interviews. The publication released now presents the survey findings and initial considerations for a roadmap to support providers. A fuller report that incorporates the interview results is due later this year.
Survey participants were asked about the barriers and facilitators to AI adoption in their service, how they govern AI and what support they need to implement it successfully.
How AI is being used in care
The majority of survey respondents used AI daily. The applications named in the report include:
- drafting care plans
- analysing care notes
- medication management
- recruitment
- AI-enabled falls prevention
Formal training levels were low, but most respondents using AI still felt somewhat or very confident. Many had developed their own policies and governance systems. Even so, respondents consistently identified uncertainty around AI governance requirements as a major challenge.
Extra responsibilities and practical barriers
The findings show that AI can create additional responsibilities. Care leaders described the need to check AI-generated information for accuracy, bias and completeness. They also raised concerns about data privacy, overreliance on technology and the potential loss of the human element of care.
Time and affordability were further barriers. Respondents pointed to a lack of opportunities to explore and test products, expensive or unreliable systems, and a need for better technical support.
Calls for support and what comes next
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.
For providers, the findings suggest that AI is already part of daily work in some services, while clear governance guidance, training and affordable, testable tools are still missing. The full report, including the interview results, is expected to be published later this year.
Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI: AI has arrived in social care services, new report shows
