UK Expands ‘Airlock’ Testing Programme for AI-Powered Healthcare Innovation
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has opened a second round of applications for its pioneering AI Airlock programme, a regulatory testing ground for AI-powered medical devices. This expansion follows a successful pilot phase that tested four breakthrough AI technologies, including software for personalized cancer treatment plans and a tool to monitor AI performance in real-time.
£1 Million Boost for AI Innovation
A £1 million investment will support the programme, enabling companies to work directly with regulators to safely test new AI-powered medical devices. The AI Airlock creates a ‘sandbox’ environment, similar to an airlock on a spacecraft, separating experimental AI from fully approved medical technology.
Successful Pilot Phase
The initial cohort included four projects:
- Philips’ Radiology Auto Impression: Tested generative AI for automating radiologists’ final impressions
- OncoFlow: Developed AI to create personalized cancer management plans
- Automedica Ltd: Investigated regulatory advantages of retrieval-augmented generation technologies
- Newton’s Tree: Tested Federated AI Monitoring Service to identify and mitigate AI risks
These projects demonstrated AI’s potential to improve patient outcomes, free up NHS resources, and enhance healthcare services. Results from the pilot projects will be published later this year, shaping the future of the AI Airlock programme.
Government Support
The programme is backed by the Government’s new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), which supports regulators in testing agile approaches to keep pace with emerging technologies. Science Minister Lord Vallance stated, “Smarter, faster approaches like the AI Airlock are helping to cut red tape, bring safe new technologies to patients quicker, and ease pressure on our NHS.”
Application Details
Applications for the second cohort are open until July 14, 2025. Eligible candidates must demonstrate that their AI-powered medical device offers significant benefits to patients and the NHS, presents a new treatment approach, and poses a regulatory challenge ready to be tested.
For more information, visit AI Airlock: the regulatory sandbox for AIaMD – GOV.UK.
