ALONE Submission on Responsible and Safe Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health and Social Care
This document is ALONE’s response to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) consultation on the draft national guidance to promote and drive a responsible and safe approach to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the health and social care sector in Ireland. The purpose of the submission is to share insights drawn from ALONE’s experience of working with older people and to highlight both the opportunities and key considerations involved in integrating AI and related technologies into services that support ageing populations.
Technology is playing an increasing role in ALONE’s work:
- In 2025, 19% of ALONE interventions with older people involved assistive technology.
- ALONE is piloting smart technology for remote health monitoring and providing digital enablement training.
- A new AI matching tool has been introduced to pair older people with volunteers for the Support and Befriending service. By analysing geography, preferences, and availability, this system reduces waiting times, streamlines administration, and helps deliver a more personalised service.
The key finding of the submission is that AI has significant potential to transform health and social care services and empower older people, improving access to support and enhancing quality of life. However, ALONE emphasises that these benefits can only be realised through clear guidance, strong governance frameworks, appropriate infrastructure, and adequate resourcing to ensure ethical implementation and equitable access for all.
