Responsible use of artificial intelligence in the provision of long-term care for older people: a care-centric approach

Current approaches to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the provision of long-term care for older people are largely framed around solving perceived problems in the sector, such as managing workforce shortages by driving greater efficiency through the automation of administrative and care tasks. Although such approaches might highlight some benefits of AI, they tend to overlook broader contextual and ethical implications within the complex structures of care systems. Thus, such narrow approaches can compromise care quality and pose risks for care recipients, caregivers, and care services. In this Personal View, we advocate for an alternative, care-centric approach to AI in long-term care, grounded in co-production and rooted in the view that care is a human need tied to wellbeing, dignity, equality, and human rights. We propose a definition of the responsible use of AI in long-term care with values of care at the forefront. We propose to use this definition as a starting point to drive AI policy and practice, rather than focusing on perceived problems, while also acknowledging and addressing tensions identified during the recent co-creation of responsible AI guidelines for the UK.