Shape
The Shape pathway is for anyone responsible for making strategic decisions or leading organisations at a local, regional or national level (e.g. policy-makers, board-level leaders, chief executives, business owners, directors). This pathway encapsulates the insights from Explore, Embed and Drive. It encourages consideration of a strategic approach to AI.
The Shape Pathway
Step 1 - Scotland's AI Strategy
| Watch and Read |
Scotland’s AI Strategy was published in 2021 and is designed to support the adoption of AI, encourage working together to accelerate AI activity, and set out a clear direction of travel that aligns AI with other strategic initiatives. Use the video and strategy links to familiarise yourself with it’s contents. Link: Scotland's AI Strategy |
| Question |
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Step 2 - Leading AI Adoption
| Reflection |
Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly and has the potential to influence how services are delivered across health and social care. Strategic leaders play an important role in shaping how these technologies are adopted, governed and used responsibly. Consider how AI might influence your organisation or sector over the coming years, and what leadership responsibilities this may create. |
| Watch |
Read ‘AI in Healthcare: What clinicians and NHS leaders need to know in 2026’ which outlines the key issues leaders need to understand, including risks, governance, workforce impact and how organisations can adopt AI safely and responsibly. |
| Question |
| What are the most important considerations leaders should understand before adopting AI technologies within their organisation? |
| Task |
| Consider how prepared your organisation may be to adopt AI technologies. Identify one opportunity AI could support within your organisation and one safeguard or governance measure that would need to be in place before implementing it. |
Step 3 - Strategic AI Conversations
| Read |
You may already be having conversations with your colleagues about the use of AI, however the implementation of AI has a number of considerations. This LinkedIn article covers the key questions that board members and senior leaders should be discussing in order to navigate the complexities of AI adoption. Link: Seven Questions Every Board Member Should Ask About AI |
| Task |
| Share these questions with your senior colleagues in an appropriate way to open up and structure conversations about AI. |
Step 4 - The Human Element of AI
| Read |
Some staff may be worried or concerned that AI technologies will replace human professionals. Whilst AI may change the way we do things, it can never replace the person-centred care that our services provide across the health and social care sector. Read this article to find out why. |
| Question |
In the article, Angela stresses the importance of human decision making to shape the AI tools we build and use. What needs to be done across your organisation to help staff become confident and able to answer questions from colleagues and users of your organisation about AI? How could you contribute to this? |
Step 5 - Creating an AI-Ready Workforce (New)
| Overview |
Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform health and social care, but successful adoption depends on more than technology alone. Workforce capability, digital confidence, leadership and collaboration all influence whether AI creates opportunity or increases inequalities. |
| Read |
Read the “Workforce Digital Skills Summit 2026 - Highlights and Insights” report from future.now, which explores five key themes relating to workforce readiness and AI adoption: the importance of essential digital skills foundations, digital confidence, reducing inequalities, leadership and learning, and the role collaboration plays in enabling change at scale. It argues that organisations cannot fully realise the benefits of AI, automation and digital transformation without first strengthening their digital foundations. |
| Reflection |
The report suggests that AI readiness depends on strong digital foundations, not simply access to new technologies. Consider whether the people, teams and organisations around you have the digital and data capability, skills and support needed to successfully adopt AI-enabled ways of working. |
| Task |
| Consider what changes may be required within your workforce, organisation or wider system to create stronger foundations for safe, effective and equitable AI adoption. |
| What next |
| Promote the use of the Self-Assessment Tool within your organisation to better understand the digital and data capability of your organisation and workforce. |
Step 6 - Keeping Up with AI
| Read |
AI technologies and adoption of them across the health and social care landscape is fast evolving. Implementation of AI solutions to support health and social care systems is happening every day across the world, and it can feel impossible to stay up to date with the newest innovations and latest research. Below is a link to a quarterly bulletin designed to help health and social care professionals in Scotland stay up to date. Have a look at the most recent bulletin, choose the sections relevant to you and subscribe to future bulletins if helpful: |
| Task |
Consider how this bulletin may be helpful for staff across your organisation, particularly those who may have an interest in specific aspects of AI (e.g. AI and Dementia, AI and Mental Health, AI and Nursing). Find a way to share the opportunity to subscribe to the bulletin across your organisation. |
What next?
You have now completed the Shape pathway.
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Further Resources
Find further resources on artificial intelligence on the Digital and Data Resource Hub.
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