On Thursday, 27 March 2025, the Oxford Project on the responsible use of Generative AI in Social Care convened in Oxford 150 participants from adult social care, civil society, people with lived experience, academia, policy, and technologists to deliberate the responsible use of artificial intelligence in social care, particularly generative AI, at the AI in Social Care Summit, the first such summit of its kind in the UK.
As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in everyday life, the social care sector stands at a critical crossroads. Without clear guidance, the use of AI – while full of potential – risks reinforcing inequalities or undermining the very values care is built on. The summit brought together an extraordinary mix of voices, united by a shared commitment to ensuring that AI works for, not against, people.
Throughout the day, there was a palpable sense of community, openness, and shared purpose. People from across the sector – from care workers and people who draw on care and support, to policymakers, researchers and technologists – listened, challenged, and built together. The event created space for honest conversations, bold ideas, and a shared belief that ethical, inclusive AI is both possible and necessary.
As part of the summit, the group agreed on a shared definition of responsible AI use in social care:
“The responsible use of (generative) AI in social care means that the use of AI systems in the care or related to the care of people supports and does not undermine, harm or unfairly breach fundamental values of care, including human rights, independence, choice and control, dignity, equality and wellbeing.”
A Collaborative Call to Action
The summit concluded with a Call to Action, urging governments, regulators, and stakeholders to commit to six key priorities for responsible AI in social care:
- Adopt guidance – Use the developed guidance, setting out key principles and stakeholder perspectives on the ethical use of generative AI in social care.
- Encourage collaboration – Ensure diverse perspectives, including people who draw on care, unpaid carers, and social care workers, are included in decision-making processes.
- Develop regulation – Urge the government to collaborate with regulators on creating AI guidelines and accountability structures.
- Inclusive innovation – Call for the development of a supportive infrastructure for inclusive and human-centred design in care technology.
- Support for new business models – Advocate for government support for emerging business models in care technology.
- Align standards with ethics – Government to ensure National Standards on technology align with legal frameworks and ethical principles.
The white paper, authored by Dr Caroline Green, Director of Research at the Institute for Ethics in AI, together with Katie Thorn from the Digital Care Hub, Daniel Casson from Casson Consulting and Kate Jopling from Think Local, Act Personal has now been published. It distils the summit’s findings into practical guidance, ethical frameworks, and tools to support responsible, inclusive innovation in social care.
Dr Caroline Green said:
“The AI in Social Care Summit was a pivotal moment for the future direction of AI in adult social care. The care community united to define what the responsible use of AI in adult social care means and published the first co-produced guidance for responsible AI integration into care services. AI in adult social care must benefit people drawing on care and support and not compromise or harm people’s human rights, dignity and wellbeing. The voices and experiences of people drawing on care and care workers must be at the core of future AI policy and I am thrilled to continue this important work through our newly announced Alliance on AI in Social Care.”
Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Social Care, addressed attendees via video message, stating:
“This summit is vital – bringing together expertise to ensure AI enhances, rather than replaces, human care. The government is committed to supporting the responsible adoption of AI in public services, and we want to work with you to make this a reality.”
The organisers believe the summit has laid a strong foundation for real progress in the sector, moving from exploration to action – and ensuring that the future of AI in social care is rooted in values, inclusion, and care.
Notes for Editors
Dr. Caroline Green is available for interviews. To arrange an interview, please contact the AI Ethics Communications team at aiethicscomms@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
Digital Care Hub
The Digital Care Hub provides free information, guidance and support to enable adult social care providers to make the most of digital technology – and to do it safely. It is an independent consortium, led by care providers. Digital Care Hub works closely with care providers, technology suppliers, organisations representing people who draw on services and carers, commissioners and regulators. It works with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to inform and influence policy, guidance, and implementation plans.
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