NHS Communications AI Network

How NHS communications professionals are adopting AI tools and what is needed to enable safe, ethical and confident use.

Our mission is to support NHS communications professionals to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in a safe, responsible and impactful way.

We are building a dedicated network where colleagues from across the NHS communications profession can connect, share insights and develop the skills needed to navigate this fast-moving area, building capability, confidence and collaborative behaviour in how AI can be used to improve communications practice and outcomes.

Explore our resources, case studies and learning opportunities below to see how AI is already making a difference and how you can play a role in shaping its future use across the NHS.

Join our network

By joining our network, you have access to shared learning, best practice and practical solutions to the challenges and opportunities that AI brings to communications. Register your details below to become part of the NHS Communications AI Network, and help us build a community of innovation, trust and shared expertise.

Our working groups

Through dedicated working groups on ethics, monitoring and evaluation, and innovation and training, the NHS Communications AI Network is shaping the responsible, evidence based, and inclusive use of AI to strengthen how the NHS communicates with patients, staff, and the public.

Read on to explore the work of each group.

Purpose
To ensure ethical integrity in the design, deployment and evaluation of AI-powered communication across the NHS, grounding activity in the existing NHS Communications Ethical Framework and supporting trust, inclusivity, and transparency across all initiatives.
Aims and objectives
- Embed the NHS Communications Ethical Framework in all AI communication pilots and practices within the scope of the Network.
- Advise on ethical considerations related to algorithmic bias, digital exclusion, transparency, and data use in communication technologies.
- Proactively identify and escalate potential ethical risks during the development, implementation, and scaling of AI communication tools.
- Champion inclusive, culturally sensitive, and psychologically informed design in AI-enabled communication strategies.
- Support upskilling and awareness among NHS communicators around ethical use of AI and emerging standards.
Scope
This workstream includes all NHS communications initiatives using AI - patient-facing, staff-facing, or system-level, where ethical judgement, oversight, or assurance may be required. It will support local implementations as well as national guardrail setting via the Taskforce.
Purpose
To ensure robust monitoring and evaluation of AI-powered communication initiatives within the NHS, supporting continuous improvement, accountability and alignment with strategic objectives of communications and engagement teams.
Objectives
- Develop and implement a framework to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of AI communication tools (aligned with national frameworks: NHS AI Lab, DQMI).
- Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics across pilots and deployments.
- Provide evidence-based insights and recommendations to inform decision-making and future strategy.
- Work on a basis that successes, outcomes and risks are the key measures to help guide this work.
Scope
This workstream covers all AI-enabled communication tools and processes commissioned or piloted under the NHS Communications AI Taskforce, including but not limited to patient-facing applications, internal communications enhancements, and digital engagement strategies.
Purpose
To explore, test, and support innovative AI tools in NHS communications while identifying training needs and building digital literacy across the communications profession.
Objectives
- Identify and share examples of effective AI innovation in NHS communications
- Explore practical applications through demonstration and peer learning
- Map skills gaps and develop approaches to build AI capability
- Contribute to the design of accessible learning resources for NHS communicators
- Support safe and effective adoption of AI tools across NHS organisations
Scope
This workstream covers all AI-enabled communication tools and processes commissioned or piloted under the NHS Communications AI Taskforce, including but not limited to patient-facing applications, internal communications enhancements, and digital engagement strategies.