AI systems should be designed with a ‘human-first’ principle. The goal isn’t to automate empathy, but to allow staff to be more empathetic. By managing admin and data, AI should be able to create more time for the truly compassionate, personal interactions that define care.

A more practical vision is emerging in health and social care, positioning AI as an augmentation tool that elevates, rather than replaces. This human-first approach is not simply about reassuring staff; it is recognition that the complex, empathetic, and often unpredictable nature of care requires human judgement.

The most effective AI implementations are those that are designed to work in harmony with humans. Liquidlogic FormFlow AI Assistant, for example, does not conduct assessments but records and transcribes the conversation, allowing the social worker to focus on the person in front of them. In this case, the AI’s role is to assist, not to lead.

AI Report Findings

Recently, we conducted an AI survey that highlighted the priorities and concerns of the healthcare, social care and education sectors around the use of AI. Drawing on feedback from nearly 300 professionals, these important findings focus on reducing administrative burden, improving care quality, and giving time back to practitioners to focus on what matters most: the people they support.

According to the survey, nearly half of the respondents highlighted key opportunities which could lead to improvements for AI.

  • There needs to be an increase in confidence in AI solutions
  • Deployment would become easier if both Councils and Trusts were granted more funding to help enable the adoption of AI solutions.
  • There should be better integration with existing systems that can allow AI to fit smoothly into current workflows.

The Human-First Approach

AI can serve as a powerful diagnostic aid in medicine and is capable of spotting subtle patterns in medical images or records that even the human eye might miss. However, it is of the highest importance that the clinician must retain full responsibility for the final diagnosis and treatment plan.

“I don’t worry about it taking my job. It worries me if I don’t upskill myself… It’s time to upskill now while we’re still in the early stages of AI.” Keyur Jani, Pharmacy IT System Manager at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.

There is a growing emphasis on AI transparency and explainability. Clinicians and social workers need to understand, how AI has arrived at a particular recommendation. This not only fosters trust but also enables practitioners to identify potential errors or biases in the AI’s reasoning.

A human-first approach recognises that technology alone cannot solve the systemic challenges in health and social care. The successful adoption of AI is as much a cultural and organisational challenge as it is a technical one.

As Simone Alexandra, Social Care Systems Manager, Solihull Council says: “There’s a big piece of work around culture change and asking for managers and heads of service to support that change to make sure that we really drive AI to its full potential.”

It requires investment in training, the redesign of workflows, and a commitment in co-designing AI solutions with the practitioners who will be using them. When practitioners are involved in the development and implementation process, the resulting tools are more likely to be fit for purpose, and the workforce is more likely to embrace them.

Register now for the AI Thought Leadership Webinar – 21st January 2026

At System C, we thoroughly believe that AI should never be created for its own sake. Every solution we build is expertly designed to solve real-world challenges in healthcare, social care, and education. Our focus is on delivering measurable value: saving time, improving outcomes, and enhancing the experience for both practitioners and the people they support.

To continue the conversation, we are hosting a live AI thought-leadership webinar – AI with Purpose: Discussion and Insights from 300 Voices – on 21st January 2026 (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM), bringing together experts, council leaders, and practitioners to discuss:

  • Key findings from the report
  • Real-world AI applications in healthcare
  • Ethical considerations and governance
  • Q&A with AI specialists and healthcare representatives

Next Steps

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