The UK has become the first country to join a new global network of health regulators focused on the safe and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

As a founding ‘Pioneer Country’ in the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will collaborate with international partners to shape global standards, monitor AI performance in clinical settings, and share early safety warnings. The initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of trusted AI tools into healthcare systems, supporting faster diagnoses, reducing National Health Service (NHS) waiting times, and boosting innovation in the UK’s healthtech sector.

The announcement was marked by a signing ceremony in Westminster on 24 June, attended by Science Minister Lord Vallance, MHRA Chief Executive Lawrence Tallon, and Dr Ricardo Baptista Leite, CEO of HealthAI.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “I’m delighted that the UK has been invited to become a Pioneer Country in HealthAI’s Global Regulatory Network. This recognition underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of responsible AI innovation in healthcare.”

The MHRA will leverage its existing expertise, including its AI Airlock programme – a regulatory sandbox enabling companies to test AI medical devices with the regulator before NHS rollout. Examples include AI tools for early lung disease detection and personalised cancer care.

Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle added: “By shaping global standards and breaking down unnecessary regulatory barriers at home, we’re helping innovators to get trusted tools into the NHS faster.”

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.”

Dr Baptista Leite hailed the partnership as a landmark moment for global AI health collaboration.

Tyler Fletcher, Executive Vice President of Healthcare Data at GlobalData, recently shared his thoughts on AI’s potential to address the global healthcare workforce crisis by automating tasks, improving efficiency, and supporting workers.