The UK has launched a new national commission to address the use of artificial intelligence in health care, aiming to attract global investment while ensuring patient safety.
The commission brings together doctors, academics, and regulatory experts to design a framework for AI medical devices, with a final version expected in 2026. Tech firms such as Microsoft and Google will also be consulted as part of the process.
The move comes at a time when AI is increasingly integrated into health care, from diagnostic tools to adaptive devices, while global regulations remain unclear.
Commission to guide AI rules in health care
The new commission is chaired by Alastair Denniston, a leading AI health-care specialist, with Patient Safety Commissioner Henrietta Hughes serving as deputy chair.
It will provide recommendations to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which is responsible for overseeing medical devices.
According to MHRA chief executive Lawrence Tallon, medical device rules in the UK are more than 20 years old, leaving them outdated for the rapidly changing AI era. He warned that unless regulation adapts, innovation in health care could slow.
The final framework will be submitted to parliament in 2026 for approval, with parts of it likely requiring legislative changes.
The commission will consult directly with patients, clinicians, and technology companies to balance innovation with risk management.
AI use in health care under scrutiny
Artificial intelligence tools are already present across the UK’s health-care sector.
They range from transcription systems that record doctor–patient consultations, to advanced imaging technologies that assist radiologists in identifying abnormalities.
Other examples include AI programs capable of processing large volumes of patient data to support diagnostic decisions, and adaptive cardiac devices that respond to real-time changes in heart activity.
These technologies currently fall under medical device regulations drafted over two decades ago.
The World Health Organization has raised concerns that without proper oversight, AI in health care could pose risks including unethical data collection, bias in algorithms, and cybersecurity threats.
The commission’s work aims to close this regulatory gap and provide clear standards for deployment.
UK diverges from European Union approach
Globally, regulators are debating how best to manage AI in health care. The European Union has already passed its AI Act, which imposes strict conditions on medical AI applications.
While the EU’s approach has been criticised by some technology firms as excessive, the MHRA has indicated that the UK does not intend to replicate those rules.
Instead, it plans to deliver a framework that is described as clear, practical, and proportionate.
Competition for AI investment is growing, with the UK government recently securing deals worth tens of billions of dollars from companies such as Microsoft and OpenAI.
Officials hope that transparent regulation will enhance the UK’s reputation as a favourable market for health technology while giving patients and clinicians confidence in new tools.
Regulatory clarity seen as key to investment
Tallon emphasised that uncertainty in global AI regulation is making it difficult for technology developers, health providers, and investors to plan ahead. The UK aims to provide clarity by defining clear expectations for all parties involved in healthcare AI.
While some companies may be cautious about new requirements, regulators believe that predictable and proportionate rules will encourage long-term investment.
By 2026, the framework is expected to deliver a comprehensive set of standards for AI medical devices in the UK, balancing innovation with accountability.
With AI already embedded in everyday clinical practice, the commission’s work is set to shape the future of British health care and influence global discussions on regulation.
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