Key Summary
- MHRA is testing seven AI tools to improve clinical decisions in its AI Airlock programme
- The tools’ safety and effectiveness, including cancer and eye diagnostics, will be assessed
- Results will guide UK regulations and boost its global leadership in medical AI
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is testing seven shortlisted AI tools that could help clinicians take informed decisions and improve patient outcomes in their AI Airlock programme.
This platform examines the efficiency of innovative AI healthcare tools that could potentially prevent life-threatening health concerns.
The chosen technologies include AI-powered clinical note taking, advanced cancer diagnostics, eye disease detection, hospital stay summaries, and blood test interpretation.
Philips, Newton’s Tree, OncoFlow, and Automedica Ltd are some of the popular names in the shortlisted group.
The second round of the test will assess safety, effectiveness, limitations and challenges of the seven tools as a medical device.
MHRA has also formed the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.
These tests will help MHRA design new safety rules and make the UK a global leader in regulating medical AI.
The Health Innovation minister Zubir Ahmed said, “The AI revolution is here and we want our NHS staff to be the first in the queue, armed with rigorously tested and evidenced clinical AI tools.”
MHRA chief executive Lawrence Tallon said, “As the first country to create a dedicated regulatory environment, or ‘sandbox’, specifically for AI medical devices, we’re pioneering solutions to the unique challenges of regulating these emerging healthcare technologies.”
“The first phase of AI Airlock demonstrated the value of close collaboration between innovators and regulators.”
He commented, “I look forward to seeing the results of this new cohort and how their technologies will shape the next generation of safe, effective AI tools in healthcare.”
Sir Andrew Goddard, AI Airlock Governance Board Chairman and Consultant Gastroenterologist at Royal Derby Hospital, also said, “Many clinicians, like myself, are keen to see AI find its place in the NHS but are worried by over-promise on results and lack of reassurance with regards to patient safety.”
MHRA’s AI Airlock programme, supported by the government, was launched in spring 2024.
