Funding Overview
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has successfully secured £3.6 million in funding to expand its AI Airlock program, which serves as the UK’s first regulatory sandbox for Artificial Intelligence as a Medical Device (AIaMD).
Funding Details
- The funding is provided by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
- It will be allocated at a rate of £1.2 million per year over the next three years (2026–2029).
- This multi-year funding allows for more extensive and sustainable testing models.
Program Objectives
The AI Airlock program aims to:
- Facilitate long-term evaluations of AI healthcare technologies.
- Address regulatory challenges specific to AI medical devices.
- Support the development of a sustainable regulatory pathway for future innovations.
Collaborative Efforts
The program is a collaborative effort involving:
- MHRA
- DHSC
- NHS AI Team
- Team AB (a consortium of UK Approved Bodies)
Significance of the Funding
James Pound, Executive Director of Innovation and Compliance, stated that this funding marks a significant milestone for the AI Airlock program, emphasizing its role in:
- Advancing the safe and responsible use of AI in healthcare.
- Enhancing the ability to bring high-quality, safe technologies to patients more quickly.
Future Developments
The AI Airlock program has already demonstrated its potential through:
- Identifying regulatory challenges during its pilot phase.
- Exploring various technologies, including large language models and diagnostic tools.
- Producing reports and case studies to guide the sector.
Further findings from the current phase are expected to be published in Summer 2026, which will inform the design of the next phase of the program.