The UK has become the first country to join a new international network of health regulators focused on the safe and effective use of AI in healthcare.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) joined the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network on 24 June as a founding ‘pioneer’ member, placing the UK at the centre of efforts to shape international rules and oversight for AI used in clinical care.
The network will allow regulators to share early safety warnings, monitor the performance of AI tools in real-world settings, and jointly develop standards. Ten pioneer countries are expected to join in the first phase, covering a range of global regions.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “I’m delighted that the UK has been invited to become a Pioneer Country in HealthAI’s Global Regulatory Network.
“This recognition underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of responsible AI innovation in healthcare.
“As we implement our 10 Year Health Plan, cutting-edge technology will be crucial to transforming patient care and NHS efficiency.
“Working with international partners through this network will ensure we harness AI’s incredible potential, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and ethics.”
The MHRA will draw on its domestic experience to help shape the network from the outset.
This includes the AI Airlock, described as the world’s first regulatory sandbox for AI medical devices.
The programme allows companies to test technologies with the regulator before wider NHS rollout, with early projects including AI models to support earlier detection of lung conditions and personalised cancer care.
A signing ceremony to mark the UK’s membership was held at Westminster with science minister Lord Vallance, MHRA chief executive Lawrence Tallon, and Dr Ricardo Baptista Leite, chief executive of HealthAI – the Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health.
The MHRA has already updated guidance and begun reforming medical device safety regulations, with further changes underway for fast-evolving areas such as adaptive and generative AI — systems that learn from data and produce content, respectively.
The agency is also working with researchers, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the NHS to improve real-world evidence on AI performance.
Lawrence Tallon, chief executive of the MHRA, said: “AI has huge promise to speed up diagnoses, cut NHS waiting times and save lives – but only if people can trust that it works and is safe.
“That’s why we’re proud to be leading the way, shaping how this powerful technology is used safely in healthcare here and around the world.
“From our AI Airlock testbed to new guidance on fast-moving tech like generative AI, we’re backing smart innovation that works for patients – and makes the UK the best place in the world to develop it.”
