Evidence and research behind BlueCap AI

The research found that 17% of respondents said they could explain AI in detail, 28% felt confident using AI in daily life and 21% felt confident using it at work.

It also identifies protecting information, judging accuracy, recognising AI-generated material and understanding risks as important AI skills.

The report recommends AI learning that is practical, reachable, modular, personalised and connected to real tasks.

It highlights plain language, mobile-friendly options, low-technology alternatives, coaching, safe spaces to practise and ongoing support.

Among UK businesses with at least ten employees, reported use of one or more AI technologies increased from around 12% in late 2023 to around 35% in June 2026.

The evidence also suggests that adoption often remains relatively shallow.

The national action plan recognises that digital inclusion requires coordinated work across access, skills, confidence, local support and service design.

It emphasises the importance of government, local organisations, charities, communities and businesses working together.

The framework states that digital healthcare should be designed and implemented inclusively.

It also makes clear that digital approaches should remain complementary to non-digital support.

The assessment reports that 20.3% of Warrington residents aged 65 and over are digitally excluded and 25.6% have limited or no digital skills.

It also reports that daily internet use falls to 49% among residents aged 85 and over, and that older residents are less likely to use several GP online services.

The strategy says the NHS App must complement non-digital services and notes that libraries are providing in-person support with the App.

It says support must remain available for digitally excluded communities and sets an expectation that AI will help users navigate selected NHS App pathways by the end of 2026/27.

The dashboard reports that the 2021 Census identified approximately five million unpaid carers in England and Wales, providing care valued at £162 billion.

It also allows local-authority-level analysis.

Carers UK reported that 34% of carers surveyed spent at least ten hours per month on NHS administration for the person they cared for.

Eighty-four per cent said more joined-up services would reduce the time spent arranging and managing NHS care.

The strategy sets commitments to ensure unpaid carers are listened to, valued and supported through accessible and responsive services.

The framework focuses on privacy, fairness and protecting individuals, communities and society from harm.

It also supports documenting ethical decisions throughout a project.

The playbook provides practical guidance on AI capabilities, limitations, risks, selection, testing, deployment and secure use.

The guidance covers lawfulness, fairness, transparency, data minimisation, accountability, security and individual rights where AI processes personal information.

The Alliance places human rights, independence, choice, control, dignity, equality and wellbeing at the centre of responsible AI use in care.

It also emphasises co-production with people drawing on care, unpaid carers, care workers and providers.

This qualitative research across 17 local authorities found reported benefits from AI transcription tools.

It also identified risks involving inaccurate records, hallucinations, inconsistent safeguards and unclear accountability.

The research found limited evidence about the experiences of people drawing on care.

The guidance recommends clear purpose, familiar patterns, understandable content, predictable navigation, personalisation and involving people with cognitive and learning disabilities in design and testing.

The study analysed discussions across 61 neurodivergent online communities.

It identified uses involving communication, learning and productivity, alongside concerns about overreliance, neurotypical assumptions and text-only limitations.

The study explored how autistic adults might use a language model for workplace communication.

Participants valued structure, privacy and availability.

The research also identified risks from ungrounded assumptions and neurotypical framing.

The strategy calls for responsible and ethical adoption, clear governance, agreed use cases, workforce skills, patient and carer involvement, evaluation and regular review.

The strategy includes reducing inequalities, supporting vulnerable residents and bridging the digital divide through access to digital services and appropriate skills.