In May, I was pleased to represent Learning Disability England at the Skills for Care ‘AI and the Future of Social Work Summit’. I’ve been following this topic for about a year now. It’s a fast‑moving area, and the more I learn, the more important it feels to make sure people with learning disabilities, autistic people and families are fully involved in shaping what happens next.

Over the past year, I’ve heard a wide range of views from LDE members, families across Essex, and people in the Eastern Region. These conversations have stayed with me, and they guided the questions I took with me to the conference.

What people and families are worried about.

Many people told me they felt scared, worried, or simply uncertain about what AI in social care might mean for them. Some of the concerns I heard again and again included:

• Barriers to accessing care and support. People worried that AI might make things more complicated, not easier.
• Losing the human connection. A lot of people said, “I want to talk to a real person.” They feared AI could replace human conversations, empathy, and relationships.
• Data protection and GDPR. Families were anxious about how their personal information would be used, stored, or shared.
• Lack of coproduction. This came up constantly. People felt decisions about AI were being made about them, not with them. Many said they didn’t see people with learning disabilities or families being included in designing or testing AI tools.

These worries are real, and they deserve attention. They also show how important it is that any AI used in social care must be accessible, safe, transparent, and co‑produced from the start.

What people and families are hopeful about.

Alongside the worries, I also heard curiosity and even excitement from some members. People told me they could see potential benefits if AI is used well:

• Helping social workers manage workload. Some felt AI could reduce paperwork and free up more time for face‑to‑face support.
• Reducing postcode lottery. A few people hoped AI might help make services more consistent across different areas.
• Better access to information. Some families wondered if AI could help them find answers more quickly, especially when systems feel confusing.
• Helping people stay independent at home. Some people already use smart sensors, reminders, communication tools, etc. Others were interested in the idea of digital assistants that support daily routines.

But even those who were hopeful said the same thing: “People with learning disabilities and families must be involved in coproduction. Otherwise, it won’t work for us.”

What I learned at the conference.

I attended several sessions with people with lived experience, social care leaders, and AI specialists. I’ll be honest — a lot of the technical talk still goes over my head! But I went in with three clear priorities: data protection, accessibility, and coproduction.

I was surprised to hear that many social workers themselves feel unsure about AI. Some are worried about how it will affect their jobs, their professional judgement, and the relationships they build with people. Others are unsure how to use AI safely or ethically. This reminded me that everyone in the system — not just families — needs support, training, and clear guidance.

Keeping the focus on lived experience and coproduction

AI is not going away. It will continue to grow and change, and social care will need to respond. My commitment, and LDE’s commitment, is to keep pushing for:

• Accessible information
• Clear communication
• Strong data protection
• Meaningful coproduction with people with learning disabilities, autistic people and families

This isn’t optional. It’s essential.

We’d love to hear from members

As we continue to follow this topic, we want to make sure your voices stay at the centre of it. What do you think about AI in social care? What worries you? What interests you? What would you want designers, social workers, or decision‑makers to know?

Your feedback will help shape future conversations, events, and advocacy work — and make sure lived experience leads the way.

You can contact Paul via info@LDEngland.org.uk