Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) offers many opportunities and potential benefits to adult social care. Generative AI, such as Large Language Models (LLMs) that power AI chatbots, can aid with various tasks in social care.  However, many activities in social care directly touch on peoples’ human rights and wellbeing. At this point of time, there are no guidelines for people using social care services, care providers including family carers, tech developers or organisations integrating AI chatbots into their services, commissioners etc. on what responsible use of generative AI in social care entails.

On the 1st of February 2024, representatives of thirty organisations and individuals working in Adult Social Care met at the University of Oxford, Reuben College, to discuss the benefits and risks of using ‘generative AI’ in social care. The event was the first in a series of “AI in adult social care” roundtable events organised by Dr Caroline Green at the University of Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI, Reuben College, the Digital Care Hub and Casson Consulting.

The aim of the event was to articulate a collective understanding of generative AI’s role in social care settings and to discuss its challenges, benefits and viable use cases. There was a core focus on what would constitute responsible and ethical use of this emerging technology.

Following the event, a statement has been published which PredicAire is delighted to endorse.

The statement outlines the need for robust and rapid work to co-produce actional guidelines for appropriate usage and deployment of generative AI in social care. In addition, it commits the group to engaging in a co-production and consultation process drawing in more people and organisations in social care.

Read the full statement here.

Dr Caroline Green from the Institute for Ethics in AI said:

“Adult social care is about supporting people to live independently and to protect fundamental human rights. Generative AI offers many potential benefits and opportunities to adult social care. However, the rapid development and wide availability of generative AI, such as AI chatbots, is a concern when it comes to use cases in adult social care settings because some fundamental values defining what quality care looks like are at stake if such technology is used inappropriately. We therefore need to address the gap of knowledge and guidance around generative AI quickly, involving all groups of people who are affected and working in social care provision.”

Ketan Shah, Founder and Director at PredicAire said:

"PredicAire is at the forefront of developing responsible technology powered by AI to deliver better care and better outcomes. We're pleased to support the Institute for Ethics in AI and the “AI in adult social care” roundtable with our expertise. Generative AI holds promise for revolutionising adult social care, yet its implementation must be guided by ethical considerations to safeguard human rights and safety. As Dr Caroline Green emphasises, collaborative efforts are essential to developing actionable guidelines ensuring responsible integration of AI technologies, thereby preserving the integrity and quality of care provision. Furthermore, is it necessary that we develop sector-specific generative AI, derived from diligent model training and ethical utilisation of data."

For inquiries on this initiative, please contact us at hello@predicaire.ai. 

Image: Logos of organisations endorsing the results of the AI in adult social care roundtable