Technology is becoming a key part of the UK’s care sector, with innovations like pain-detecting apps, sleep-monitoring sensors, and robotic training aids beginning to transform services. As the ageing population grows, care homes and providers are increasingly turning to AI to ease workloads and improve outcomes for residents.

Some care homes are already using tools like Painchek, an app that helps identify discomfort in non-verbal residents, and night-time sensors that alert staff to unusual activity. These tools aim to improve care quality while reducing preventable hospital admissions and allowing residents to rest undisturbed. Meanwhile, researchers in Oxford are developing robots that help train carers by mimicking patient reactions to physical touch.

Despite the benefits, experts urge caution. Dr Caroline Green from the University of Oxford warns that AI must be used carefully and ethically, ensuring it complements rather than replaces human interaction. She raised concerns about data privacy, potential biases, and a lack of national guidance on AI in social care.

While the government is keen to promote innovation, voices across the sector stress that AI should be a supportive tool - not a substitute for skilled professionals. As reliance on overseas workers falls, experts argue the human element of care must remain at the heart of the system.