February 19th 2025
AI (artificial intelligence) is everywhere these days, and social care is no exception. But with new technology comes big questions: How do we use AI in a way that actually helps people using and providing care? How do we make sure it is safe, fair, and actually useful?
That is exactly what the Digital Care Hub, the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University, and Casson Consulting have teamed up to figure out. Together, we are working on a project to ensure AI is developed collaboratively and used responsibly in adult social care.
In February 2024, we brought together over 30 organisations and individuals to discuss the benefits and risks of using generative AI in social care. This summit, held at Oxford University, resulted in the Oxford Statement on the responsible use of generative AI in social care. This statement outlines what the sector wants in order to safely use AI in our sector.
Over the last year the collaborative has expanded and now involves over 50 organisations working together.
Our approach: collaboration and co-production
To guide and support our work, we have established a sector-wide Steering Committee, a Co-Production Group and a range of working groups focused on specific tasks.
The Steering Committee, which is co-chaired by Dr Caroline Green, Institute of Ethics in AI at Oxford University, Daniel Casson of Casson Consulting and Katie Thorn of Digital Care Hub, comprises representatives of care providers, local authorities, people drawing on care, tech suppliers and care workers – as well as national agencies.
Our Co-Production Groups consist of a diverse range of people with lived experience of social care, either drawing on care or providing care. The co-production has two workstreams, one of which is led by Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) and the other one led by Dr Caroline Green.
We also have four working groups, each facilitated by different organisations, to focus on specific areas:
- Ethical Principles Working Group – This group is chaired by Dr Donald Macaskill, Scottish Care and focused on a framework of ethical principles for anyone in adult social care to consider before implementing AI.
- Care Provider Working Group – Facilitated by the National Care Forum, this group is working with adult social care provider organisations to develop guidance and support for care organisations planning to implement AI.
- Technologists Working Group – This group is chaired by Daniel Casson, Casson Consulting and Clara Hewitt, TechUK. It is for software providers who are working in the adult social care space.
- Care Worker Working Group – This group is chaired by the Care Workers Charity. It is focused on collaborating with frontline care workers to identify potential benefits and risks of AI, and what care workers want to see.
Speaking about the approach, Dr Caroline Green, Director of Research at the Institute for Ethics in AI, said:
“We’re trying to lead by example and take a very collaborative approach to this work on AI in social care.
“Too often, technology is introduced without involving the people who will actually be affected by it. We want to change that. AI has the potential to help with care planning, administration, and communication, but only if it is designed with the real experiences of care workers and the people they support in mind.
“We are an open and collaborative project which is constantly developing – just as AI is.”
Progress
As well as the Oxford statement, the collaborative has also published:
- Ethical principles for the use of AI in social care: These principles are designed to help social care commissioners and service providers to navigate the opportunities and challenges that AI presents. They have been carefully considered to ensure they are sensitive to the experiences of service users. For example, one of the key principles is 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. This framework is just a starting point, and at the end of March 2025, we are meeting again to review and update these principles.
- Care Workers’ Guidance and Statement: In May 2024, The Care Workers Charity brought together a group of frontline workers to discuss the benefits and risks of generative AI. This resulted in the Care Workers Statement – published in September 2024 – which offers key principles and recommendations for AI developers, employers, policymakers, local authorities, regulators, and care workers themselves. 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.
- Better choices, more control? Principles and priorities for the responsible use of Generative AI in care and support: In February 2025, TLAP published this report developed with the Co-production Group. The report sets out a series of principles to inform policy and practice, identifies practical issues that need addressing, and highlights areas requiring urgent action by Government and regulators. The report was co-produced with people who draw on care and support, and people who provide unpaid care to family or friends, through a series of workshops.
Next steps
One year on from the original meeting, we are coming together for a further AI in Social Care Summit at Oxford University, when we will be reviewing and updating our ethical principles for the use of AI.
There are some limited places available at the event on 27 March. This public-facing day will be attended by members of the public, academia, policy, civil society and international guests. Find out more on the Institute for Ethics in AI website.
Our working groups will also be publishing a range of new resources including:
- A revised ethical framework (due end of March 2025)
- A software provider pledge (due end of March 2025)
- Guidance for care providers planning to implement AI (due February 2025)
Find out more about AI in Social Care.
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