The UK has become the first country to join the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network, cementing its leadership in the safe and effective use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Through the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK will collaborate with international counterparts to share early safety signals, monitor AI performance in real-world settings and help develop global regulatory standards. The network is a pioneering initiative that brings together health regulators to coordinate oversight of AI-powered medical tools. The MHRA’s involvement places the UK at the centre of global efforts to balance AI’s transformative potential with robust patient safeguards.
Domestically, the MHRA has already updated its guidance and launched reforms to medical device regulations to better reflect the rise of adaptive and generative AI systems. It is working closely with researchers, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the NHS to build an evidence base for AI performance in clinical environments.
To support innovation while maintaining safety, the MHRA has introduced the AI Airlock—a regulatory sandbox that allows developers to test AI-driven medical devices in partnership with regulators before wider NHS deployment. The initiative aims to speed up access to promising technologies that can reduce diagnostic delays and cut NHS waiting times. A recent £1 million funding boost has expanded the programme, with a second application round now in preparation.
The MHRA’s approach reflects the UK government’s wider pro-innovation stance, anchored in principles of safety, transparency, fairness and patient empowerment. Its strategic framework extends to 2030 and is focused on embedding AI into regulatory systems in a way that maximises healthcare benefits while managing risks.
By joining the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network and expanding programmes like the AI Airlock, the UK is not only accelerating domestic innovation but also shaping interoperable global standards. This forward-looking model is designed to build public trust in AI, ensuring the country remains a world leader in the responsible development of AI-powered healthcare.
With rigorous oversight and strong support for innovation, the UK offers a blueprint for how governments can embrace AI in medicine without compromising on safety or accountability.
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