Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence and professional regulation

April's hot topic was artificial intelligence

This page collates some of our recent activity and posts on artificial intelligence (AI) in health and social care. It wraps up AI as our ‘hot topic’ for April 2026. Our work on AI and regulation is ongoing. To explore all our AI resources and find out more about our continuing work, keep an eye on our dedicated AI and professional regulation page. 

Our top five takeaways 

Across blogs, reports, a Q&A, and recommended readings, we learnt that:

1. AI is already influencing access to care, professional decision‑making and regulation
2. There are opportunities to improve safety, consistency and prevention
3. There are also risks around transparency, bias, accountability and equity
4. Public confidence is important. People want AI to be safe and ethical
5. Clear guidance, strong governance and collaboration across the system are essential

Recommended reading

At the end of each week, we also posted a read of the week:

• Read of the week:Attitudes to technology and AI in health care, The Health Foundation 
• Read of the week: Ada Lovelace report on the role of place and community in shaping people's expectations of AI 
• Read of the week: DHSC blog by Sarah Blackmore AI's role for social workers
• Read of the week: University of Bristol/PSA report on how to guide and regulate for health and social care professionals using AI

Would AI guidance and regulation for healthcare professionals be helpful?

In a recent webinar we hosted with Dr Helen Smith and Professor Jonathan Ives of the University of Bristol, possible issues with adopting AI were raised.

But which potential risk of AI most highlights the need for guidance and regulation for healthcare professionals? We posted a poll asking:

1. a lack of transparency meaning that we can’t necessarily immediately spot and mitigate for issues such as bias
2. it could hallucinate
3. it could create hidden environmental issues such as high energy or water consumption

The results: 

• 61% said limited transparency 
• 28% said hallucinations 
• 11% said environmental issues