About the Digital, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (DART-Ed) programme

The Digital, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Technologies in Education (DART-Ed) programme is delivered by Health Education England (HEE) and explores the educational needs of the health and care workforce to enable use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic technologies to improve healthcare.

The programme is a response to the Topol Review which set out the important contribution that digital healthcare technologies can make in improving patient care. DART-Ed aims to educate and train the current and future workforce in AI and Robotic technologies so that more time may be given to caring for patients.  

The programme aligns with the National Health and Social Care AI Strategy which is in development. The strategy identifies training of the health and care workforce as a key deliverable to harness the opportunities arising from AI.

The impact of AI and Digital healthcare technologies on education and training 

DART-Ed works with partners from across the system to develop knowledge, skills, and professional attributes and behaviours so the workforce can use, design and implement digital healthcare technologies. The programme aims to understand the impact of digital AI and healthcare technologies and the knock-on consequences for education and training.  

The programme is looking at 3 areas:

1. Horizon scanning
2. Assessing learning needs (capability framework)
3. Delivering education and training