The United Kingdom has launched a new national commission to regulate artificial intelligence in health care. The goal is to boost investment while protecting patients.
The body brings together doctors, academics, and regulators to design a framework for AI medical devices. A final version is expected in 2026.
Tech firms such as Microsoft and Google will also be consulted during the process. The plan comes as AI spreads rapidly across health care, from diagnostic imaging to adaptive devices.
The commission is chaired by AI specialist Alastair Denniston, with Patient Safety Commissioner Henrietta Hughes as deputy chair.
It will advise the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which oversees medical devices.
According to MHRA chief executive Lawrence Tallon, “medical device rules in the UK are more than 20 years old. Unless regulation adapts, innovation in health care could slow.”
The commission will consult directly with patients, clinicians, and technology companies to balance innovation with risk. Its recommendations will be sent to parliament in 2026.
AI in UK Health Care
Artificial intelligence tools are already common in Britain’s hospitals.
They range from transcription systems for doctor consultations, to advanced imaging programs that help radiologists identify disease. Adaptive cardiac devices now adjust to real-time changes in heart activity.
The World Health Organization has warned that weak oversight could allow bias, unethical data use, or cyberattacks. The UK commission aims to close that gap and create clear standards.
UK Chooses Own Path
The EU has passed its AI Act, which places strict controls on medical AI. But Britain plans a different route.
The MHRA said the UK will design rules that are “clear, practical, and proportionate.” The aim is to attract investment while keeping patients safe.
Britain recently secured health-tech deals worth billions of dollars from Microsoft and OpenAI. Officials believe predictable regulation will strengthen the country’s reputation as a global hub for medical AI.
Tallon said uncertainty in global rules is a barrier for investors. He argued that “predictable and proportionate rules will encourage long-term investment.”
The final framework, due in 2026, will provide comprehensive standards for AI in health care. It is expected to balance innovation with accountability.
As AI becomes part of daily clinical practice, Britain’s decisions will not only shape its own health system but also influence global debates on regulation.
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