January 14th 2025
The Prime Minister has put AI front and centre of Government plans for economic growth, improvements in health and education, and career opportunities.
AI Opportunities Action Plan states that “the government must:
- Invest in the foundations of AI: We need world-class computing and data infrastructure, access to talent and regulation
- Push hard on cross-economy AI adoption: The public sector should rapidly pilot and scale AI products and services and encourage the private sector to do the same. This will drive better experiences and outcomes for citizens and boost productivity
- Position the UK to be an AI maker, not an AI taker: As the technology becomes more powerful, we should be the best state partner to those building frontier AI. The UK should aim to have true national champions at critical layers of the AI stack so that the UK benefits economically from AI advancement and has influence on future AI’s values, safety and governance.”
Among the recommendations are proposals for the UK to invest in a supercomputer to boost computing power and a National Data Library to gather data held by the public sector, including anonymised health data, to support AI research and innovation.
Speaking at the launch on Monday 13 January 2025, Sir Kier Starmer emphasised the importance of NHS data for driving medical innovation while maintaining strict controls to protect privacy. He spoke about the importance of the National Data Library for research and innovation, describing it as a vital resource for advancing public services and private sector initiatives. He assured that NHS data would remain anonymised and under Government control, with measures in place to ensure its responsible use.
The Prime Minister also said:
“I do understand that change on this scale and at this speed can be worrying particularly when experts warn about safety risks. And that’s why the last government was right to establish the world’s leading AI Safety Institute, and we will build on that. Indeed, later thismonth, the UK will lead the first ever global AI safety test.”
Responding to the announcement, Michelle Corrigan, Programme Director of Digital Care Hub said:
“This Government has rightly identified AI as a powerful tool for improvement in the public and private sectors. Digital Care Hub strongly agrees with the Government that we must grasp the benefits of AI – but this must be done safely and within the context of social care as a fundamentally relationship-based and person-centred service.
“We have seen that practice is ahead of policy – with many care workers and organisations already using AI to support admin and care planning.
“Which is why we have developed an ethical framework to help social care commissioners and providers to navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI. We take a human rights model and focus on the key ethical principles that underpin the responsible use of AI: truth, transparency, equity, trust, accessibility, and humanity.
“For example, AI in social care must never lose sight of the human element. It should enhance, not replace, the human touch that defines our sector. AI can be a powerful tool for relieving administrative burdens and enabling staff to spend more time with those in their care, but it should never detract from the personal, face-to-face relationships that are at the heart of good care.”
Digital Care Hub is continuing to develop its work programme on AI and Robotics. www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/ai-and-robotics
Notes to editors
Digital Care Hub and Oxford Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence – Ethical framework for AI in social care
Whilst technology is rapidly evolving, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied in social care settings. To guide its ethical and responsible use, a small group of individuals supported by Digital Care Hub, the Oxford Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence, and Casson Consulting have developed a set of guiding principles.
These principles are designed to aid social care commissioners and service providers in navigating the opportunities and challenges that AI presents. They have been carefully considered to ensure they are sensitive to the experiences of service users.
There are seven core principles:
- Truth: Technology must be grounded in accurate, reliable data and outcomes. AI systems should be evidence-based, using information reflecting the realities of the people we care for and support.
- Transparency: AI systems must be transparent in how they function and the decisions they support.
- Equity: AI must not reinforce inequalities but instead promote fairness in care delivery.
- Trust: Care workers and those drawing on care must trust that AI is there to support them, and that their privacy and human rights are respected.
- Accessibility: AI should be designed to be accessible to all, regardless of age, digital literacy, socio-economic status or ability.
- Humanity: AI in social care must never lose sight of the human element. It should enhance, not replace, the human touch that defines our sector.
- Responsiveness: Evaluation and responsiveness are critical to ensuring that the tool serves the person rather than becoming an end in itself.
The project incorporates the FAIR human rights framework, which promotes structured ethical decision-making through four steps: Facts, Analysis of rights, Identification of responsibilities, and Review of actions. This model helps ensure that AI tools are not only effective but also aligned with the values and needs of individuals and communities.
The project will continue to develop over time. If you are interested in being part of the conversation, please contact [email protected]
Further Information
- Read more about the different ethical principles and what they entail.
- Find out about the Oxford Project: The Responsible use of Generative AI in Social Care.
- Read our Generative AI Myth Buster.
Press contact
Iris Steen – [email protected]
07792 636761
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