Roles Evolve as Care Providers Invest in AI Leadership

Oakland Care’s appointment of a head of AI reflects a wider shift across health and social care, as organisations invest in senior technology roles to support digital transformation.

AI Leadership Roles Emerge Across Care Sectors

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping how care is delivered, managed, and experienced across both social care and healthcare systems. In the UK, providers are beginning to formalise their approach to innovation through dedicated leadership roles, while internationally, organisations are scaling technology teams to meet rising demand for digital services.

The appointment of Tom Haslett as head of AI at Oakland Care is one example of this trend within the UK care sector. At the same time, US-based virtual behavioural health provider Charlie Health has appointed Ashok Balakrishnan as chief technology officer, underlining how organisations globally are investing in senior expertise to drive AI-enabled care.

Together, these developments point to a broader shift, technology is no longer a supporting function, but a central pillar of modern care delivery.

Oakland Care Targets AI to Ease Pressure on Care Homes

Operating across London and the South East, Oakland Care has created a new role focused on leading its AI adoption strategy. Haslett’s remit includes reducing administrative burden, streamlining workflows, and supporting staff to use digital tools more effectively.

The organisation has positioned AI as a way to free up time for frontline teams, allowing them to focus more on residents. This reflects a key challenge across the UK care sector, where staff often face significant administrative demands alongside direct care responsibilities.

Haslett said the sector’s slower adoption of technology presents a “huge opportunity” to introduce tools that can support care teams in a responsible and practical way. His background in operational transformation within the software industry signals a growing trend of technology specialists moving into care environments.

Chief executive Joanne Balmer BEM emphasised that the focus will be on ethical implementation, ensuring that AI strengthens the workforce and improves outcomes rather than acting as a replacement for staff.

Global Parallel Scaling AI in Virtual Behavioural Healthcare

A similar emphasis on technology leadership can be seen in the appointment of Ashok Balakrishnan as chief technology officer at Charlie Health, a US provider of virtual high-acuity behavioural healthcare.

The company is expanding its investment in data, infrastructure, and AI as demand grows for its virtual intensive outpatient programmes. Balakrishnan will lead the development of the organisation’s technology platform, with a focus on care personalisation, operational efficiency, and system reliability.

Charlie Health CEO and co-founder Carter Barnhart said the appointment reflects “intentional investments in the technology that powers our care model” as demand for mental health services increases. Balakrishnan brings more than 25 years of experience, including previous work developing AI-enabled primary care systems.

Speaking about his new role, Balakrishnan highlighted the potential of AI to transform healthcare delivery, particularly in mental health, where demand continues to outpace capacity. His appointment illustrates how digital health providers are scaling infrastructure to deliver more responsive, data-driven care.

Policy Context and Sector Challenges

These developments come amid continued policy focus on digital transformation across health and social care in the UK. NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have both emphasised the importance of digital tools in supporting integrated, preventative care, particularly in home and community settings.

However, adoption remains uneven across the UK care sector. While some providers are investing in advanced care technology, others face barriers including limited funding, workforce capacity, and digital infrastructure.

The creation of dedicated technology leadership roles may help address these challenges by providing clearer direction and accountability for digital strategy. It also reflects a growing recognition that successful implementation requires more than just purchasing technology, it requires organisational change.

Embedding AI Into Everyday Care

The appointments at Oakland Care and Charlie Health point to a future in which AI is embedded across a wide range of care settings, from residential homes to virtual treatment platforms.

In the near term, much of the impact is likely to come from improved efficiency, reducing administrative workload, supporting staff, and enabling more consistent care delivery. Over time, AI could play a greater role in personalising care, predicting health needs, and supporting integration between services.

For the UK care sector, the challenge will be to scale these innovations while maintaining trust and ensuring equitable access. Ethical considerations, workforce engagement, and robust evidence will all be critical in shaping how AI is adopted.