This week on CTRL + Care, Katie & Michelle unpack the launch of 43 new neighbourhood care models and what it will take for tech to really make them work, from AI-powered sensors spotting early signs of risk to community-led approaches tackling fuel poverty. They also look at a government pilot testing Microsoft Copilot and what it tells us about AI’s real impact on productivity, plus the first signs of CQC inspections scrutinising AI governance in care. And as councils like Coventry experiment with Palantir, the digital duo question how the sector can counter negative media narratives around AI. For Cyber Squirrels, they dive into the brand new AI Darwin Awards, celebrating the most *chefs kiss* bad AI fails.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:24 Neighborhood Care Launch
09:27 UK Gov Co-Pilot Trial Findings
14:32 Cyber Squirrels: Lighthearted Tech Stories
16:01 CQC AI Report
20:56 Coventry Council to use Palantir AI in Social Work
25:11 Cyber Squirrels - Darwin Awards

Links:

The tech for neighbourhood care is here

London Borough of Sutton – AI-powered sensors

Warm Wales tackling fuel poverty

Neighbourhood health services roll-out

Government pilot of Microsoft Copilot

CQC inspection raises AI governance concerns

Coventry Council and Palantir in children’s services

AI Darwin Awards coverage – The Register

Official AI Darwin Awards site

This week on CTRL + Care, Katie & Michelle dive into the digital care stories shaping September. From the rising wave of cyber incidents hitting big names like Jaguar Land Rover and M&S, to the hidden risks of AI use in frontline services. Plus, Skills for Care is dedicating a whole month to showcasing how technology empowers care and we also look at the US court ruling on Google’s monopoly and what it means for the future of tech regulation.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:23 Huge cyber attacks recently
07:03 Skills for Care Digital Spotlight
11:06 AI adds new dimension to public sector security
17:38 Google Monopoly Ruling and Its Implications
23:21 Emergency Alert System Test
25:30 TSA Recruiting for new Chair
25:45 Cyber Squirrels: Edinburgh Fringe tech dance
28:17 Cyber Squirrel: AI robot led improv group

Links:

Skills for Care highlighting Tech Enabled Care in September

AI adds new dimension to public sector cyber security | UKAuthority

The Google Monopoly ruling

Emergency Alert System

Cyber Squirrel - Edinburgh Fringe Dance

Cyber Squirrel - Magician who uses robots

This week on CTRL + Care, Katie & Michelle unpack the big digital care stories you need to know. From Derby Council’s bold move to use AI in care assessments, to why future-proofing care homes starts with better design and digital infrastructure, plus a new NHS health data service that could transform research. And in Cyber Squirrels… the strange case of an astronaut selfie that never existed.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:44 Councils AI helps decide when elderly go into care
12:41 Design is key to meeting the needs of an ageing population
17:34 NHS Health Data Research Service: A New Era
21:02 5 AI lessons in social care from Dr Caroline Green of Oxford University
22:49 Cyber Squirrels: The AI Selfie Conundrum

Links:

Council’s AI helps decide when elderly go into care (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/24/council-ai-helps-decide-when-elderly-go-into-care/) Outrage as cash-strapped council uses 'pensioners as lab rats' with AI led care decision | UK | News | Express.co.uk

Design is key to meeting the needs of an ageing population
Design is key to meeting the needs of an ageing population')

Health Data Research Service – unlocking the potential of health and care data to transform lives
NHS England » Health Data Research Service – unlocking the potential of health and care data to transform lives

5 lessons on AI in care from Dr Caroline Green
https://www.carehomeprofessional.com/five-key-lessons-on-ai-in-social-care/