On the 16th of May 2024, frontline care workers from across England, Wales, and Scotland gathered at Reuben College, University of Oxford, to discuss the responsible use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in adult social care. This landmark roundtable event, co-hosted by the Care Workers’ Charity, The Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, and Katie Thorn of the Digital Care Hub, marked a critical step in ensuring that care workers have a voice in shaping the future of AI in their field.
Today, we are pleased to announce the release of the “Care Workers’ Guidance and Statement of Expectations on the Responsible Use of AI and Particularly Generative AI in Adult Social Care.” This document is the culmination of the discussions at the roundtable and sets out key principles and guidance for employers, AI developers, policy makers, local authorities, regulators, and care workers themselves. Read the document here.
The care workers who participated in this roundtable are clear in saying that while AI has the potential to support and enhance the care they provide, it must be implemented responsibly, with the needs and wellbeing of both care workers and people drawing on social care at the forefront. The statement calls for clear policies, proper training, and transparent practices around AI, ensuring that the responsibility of its use does not fall solely on the shoulders of care workers.
This statement reflects the care workers’ commitment to their profession and their desire to harness technology in a way that benefits those in their care without compromising the quality of their work or their own wellbeing. AI, while a powerful tool, must be used with caution, care, and above all, respect for the human-centered nature of social care.
Karolina Gerlich, CEO, The Care Workers’ Charity, says “Care is fundamentally a person-centered activity, and AI should never be seen as a replacement for care workers. However, AI has the potential to play a supportive role, freeing up time for carers to focus on meaningful interactions with those they care for.”
Katie Thorn, Project Lead at Digital Care Hub, adds “the launch of the care workers guidance and statement of expectations is an important moment in ensuring that AI serves as a tool to uplift, rather than replace, the person-centred care that remains at the heart of our sector. Digital Care Hub is proud to advocate for responsible AI practices that prioritise the dignity and well-being of both care workers and the people they support.”
“AI can benefit people working in social care and people using care services” says Dr Caroline Emmer De Albuquerque Green, Director of Research, Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, “but AI cannot replace frontline carers and the use of generative AI in adult social care raises many ethical and legal issues. Careworkers and their experiences need to be at the centre of defining what the responsible use of generative AI in the care of people looks like. This statement created by frontline careworkers’ clearly states their expectations towards their employers, the government and tech developers. It is a matter of fair working conditions that careworkers get properly supported in using AI and other technology in their jobs.”
The Care Workers’ Guidance and Statement of Expectations represents a significant step towards a future where AI can play a supportive role in social care, enhancing the work of dedicated care professionals and improving outcomes for those they support.
