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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a core capability across health and care. It is no longer experimental or niche: AI tools are already influencing clinical practice, education, workforce planning and service delivery across the NHS.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has a national responsibility to ensure that the NHS Wales workforce can understand, question and use AI safely, ethically and responsibly. Our focus is on equipping staff with the confidence, skills and judgement needed to engage with AI in ways that enhance patient care, professional practice and wellbeing.
AI should support human expertise, not replace it. HEIW’s role is to help the workforce navigate both the opportunities and the risks, ensuring that AI adoption strengthens trust, safety and quality across the health system.
AI is increasingly embedded in everyday healthcare, including:
Many staff are already encountering AI tools - sometimes through approved systems, and sometimes informally through publicly available technologies.
Without appropriate education and guidance, there is a risk of inconsistent use, over-reliance on AI outputs, reduced professional confidence, and potential harm to patients or services. There is also a risk of missed opportunities, particularly where AI could reduce administrative burden, improve learning experiences, or support staff wellbeing.
Building AI literacy across the workforce helps staff to:
HEIW supports staff to approach AI with confidence, curiosity and appropriate caution, ensuring that workforce development keeps pace with technological change.
As the national body responsible for education, training and workforce development for NHS Wales, HEIW is uniquely placed to lead a coordinated, national approach to AI education.
Over the past two years, HEIW has:
HEIW also contributes to wider UK-level and four-nations collaboration on AI, working closely with Welsh Government and national partners. This ensures that workforce education in Wales aligns with emerging policy, regulation, clinical safety standards and best practice.
HEIW does not act as a regulator. Our role is to enable safe, responsible innovation, providing clear guardrails, shared learning and a trusted national framework for AI education and capability building.
To find out more and access AI information and tools including our introductory learning module and HALI our AI-powered learning mentor, visit AI in healthcare education and training.