Explore
The Explore pathway is for everyone working in health and social care, irrespective of role. This pathway introduces artificial intelligence (AI) and covers what AI is, how it is used and some of the key AI language.
The Explore Pathway
Step 1 - What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
| Question |
| You may be hearing the terms ‘artificial intelligence’ or ‘AI’ used more frequently, often described as the next big thing when it comes to digital. What do you think AI is? |
| Read |
Have a look at this definition of AI as outlined in Scotland’s AI Strategy. |
Step 2 - What is Generative AI?
| Reflection |
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot are becoming more common in everyday life and in the workplace. Some people actively use them, while others may feel unsure about what they are or how they work. Take a moment to think about your own experience with generative AI. Have you used tools like ChatGPT, Copilot or other AI chatbots before? If so, what did you use them for? |
| Read |
Watch the short video ‘What is Gen AI?’ as part of the Open University series AI Confidential with Hannah Fry, which introduces what generative AI is, how AI chatbots work, and some important considerations when using these tools. Link: What is Gen AI? For more resources like the above, please refer to the full AI Confidential with Hannah Fry. |
| Questions |
|
Step 3 - AI Jargon
| Read |
AI has brought with it a whole new list of technical terms. You don’t need to understand all of these fully, but it may be helpful to find out more about the jargon that you hear more regularly, for example, ‘generative AI’ or ‘deepfake’. Use this helpful jargon buster to check your understanding of any terms you’re not sure about. |
| Question |
| Did any of the definitions surprise you? Do you think you could explain these definitions to colleagues or friends? |
Step 4 - A Simple Guide to AI
| Reflection |
There are many misunderstandings about what AI is and where it all came from. Take a moment to reflect upon what you currently believe AI to be. |
| Question |
This guide contains a wealth of valuable insights. Start by focussing on these key sections:
Link: A Simple Guide to AI |
| Questions |
From reading the guide, how would you explain what AI is to a colleague? Can you think of any ways which you or your team could benefit from using AI? Use the ‘Benefits of AI’ section in the guide to help you. |
Step 5 - AI in Health and Social Care
| Question |
| As a health and social care professional, have you already come across AI as part of your working life? Do you know if it is being used across the services your organisation offers? |
| Read |
AI technologies are already being used in lots of different ways across our health and social care services, and there are still further opportunities to be explored. However, it's important that the use of AI in delivering health and care is managed carefully with consideration of potential risks. Ally Cares is an acoustic monitoring system powered by intelligent alerting that is used to support falls prevention in care homes. Tools like this detect movement and sound in real time, helping staff anticipate incidents rather than react to them. Have a look at this case study which explains how Ally Cares is being used in a care home to integrate with existing care planning systems to improve safety and reduce workloads: Link: Working Smarter: AI Preventing Falls - Digital Care Hub |
| Question |
| In the case study, the care home manager acknowledges that care services can sometimes be fearful of the risks that advanced technologies bring with them. What do you think would help staff and people who use services to trust new AI technologies? |
Step 6 - AI Quiz
| Quiz |
This short quiz may challenge your perceptions of AI and address some of the common myths associated with it’s use. Link: AI quiz: Can you tell which person is real? - BBC News |
| Questions |
How do you feel about your results? Were there any answers that surprised you? What action do you want to take to increase your understanding of how AI is used and could be used in your workplace? |
What next?
You have now completed the Explore pathway.
Pathway Update Notifications
You can access this Pathways Update Notifications Form to register to receive email notifications when pathway content is updated or new resources are added.
Further Resources
Find further resources on artificial intelligence on the Digital and Data Resource Hub.
Feedback
To share any comments or questions you have about the pathway, please use this Feedback Form. You can also let us know if any of the links aren’t working, or the resources aren’t available.
