By joining the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network as a founding ‘pioneer' country, the MHRA will work with regulators around the world to share early warnings on safety, monitor how AI tools perform in practice, and shape international standards together. Other countries are expected to join in the coming months.

The MHRA will draw on its work to help shape the network from the ground up. That includes AI Airlock, a global leading example of a regulatory sandbox for AI medical devices, which lets companies test new tools with the regulator before wider NHS roll-out. Early examples include AI models to help GPs spot lung conditions sooner and AI to support more personalised cancer care.

Science and tech secretary Peter Kyle said: ‘By shaping global standards and breaking down unnecessary regulatory barriers at home, we're helping innovators to get trusted tools into the NHS faster, improving treatments for patients while growing our economy in support of our Plan for Change.'

MHRA chief executive, Lawrence Tallon, 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.'