The potential impact of AI capable of generating text, images, and other data was recently discussed at a social care roundtable at Oxford University.
On 1 February, 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.
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.
According to Dr Caroline Green: “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”
Following the event, a statement was published outlining 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, the group agreed to engage in a consultation process with other social care organisations.
Endorsing the statement, National Care Forum CEO Professor Vic Rayner OBE said: “AI is impacting on all parts of our lives, and it is right that we take a view on how it can and should be used in the care sector. We need to advance our understanding of the benefits it can bring to care, whilst recognising the need to proceed with caution in some areas. Generative AI is developing incredibly quickly and if we miss the opportunity to capture the good it can do for us, we risk losing out. However, as outlined in the statement, we must ensure that the human rights of people using care, and the precious relationships the act of caring for someone creates, are not sacrificed in pursuit of the capabilities of generative AI.”
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Matt Seex, Editor
