Artificial Intelligence is increasingly in the news with a new eye-catching headline seemingly a daily occurrence. At the same time, health and care services are increasingly looking to bring together the worlds of digital and improvement for the benefit of staff and patients.

It is right we discuss regulations now. Tech leaders recently held a closed-door meeting with US senators to share their thoughts on regulating AI and the EU is finalising its AI Act, which will be the world’s first comprehensive AI law.

Mitigating risks from AI was a major focus at the AI Safety Summit, which also saw 28 countries sign the Bletchley Declaration, agreeing to international efforts to examine and address the potential impact of AI systems.

AI technologies could deliver significant benefits to health and care.

They could assist in detecting cancer and heart disease faster as well as help clinicians make decisions about treatment plans for conditions, such as stroke, sooner. However, AI can pose new risks, such as racial bias, detection errors or concerns over keeping patient data private. It is vital that technologies being deployed in our health and care system are safe.

AI and digital regulations service

The UK already has a leading robust regulatory system that consists of agencies and bodies responsible for maintaining and upholding the regulations that govern AI technologies used in our health and care services. Navigating this system, however, can be difficult.

Here at the NHS AI Lab we’ve brought together the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Care Quality Commission, the Health Research Authority and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to develop the AI and digital regulations service.

The website brings together regulations, guidance and resources for both developers and adopters of AI and digital technologies.

Split into two main sections – resources for developers and resources for adopters – it helps to clarify and simplify the regulation journey to help embed the most effective digital technologies within care pathways. Crucially, the service enables best practice, so these tools are used safely and effectively.

Support for adopters

Adopters of AI in health and care may be in primary or secondary care, community care, mental health services, social care or independent health care providers.

We know that for some NHS trusts, GP practices or social care providers this may be their first time trying to navigate areas such as software as medical device regulations, which many AI products fall under.

Knowing what regulations to apply, and when to apply them may not always be clear but is fundamental in ensuring the adoption of safe technology.

For colleagues working on improvement projects, the adopters section provides materials to help when you are planning to buy or commission the development of a digital technology.

It maps the regulations and guidance that may need to be applied to use the technology in a service, as well as helping you make informed decisions through five important steps:

• identifying the problem
• assessing the right digital technology to use
• planning for implementation
• using the technology
• being aware of regulations that govern the use of data.

 Are you implementing digital technologies?

Improvement projects are increasingly adopting digital technologies and I hope this service will help you navigate the decisions and regulations around this.

I am delighted by the excellent feedback we have already received about the service.

We still want to hear people’s views as we want to continue to offer the best resources so we can offer maximum benefits to those seeking to adopt AI technologies.

The AI and digital regulations service will also enable adopters to make more informed decisions about these technologies. This is not only so we can realise the benefits of AI and digital tools, but so we only deploy technologies that are the most costive effective and, importantly, safe to use.

It is vital we offer this resource to bring clarity so we can help our health and care services access the right AI and digital tools now.

Share your views

I would encourage everyone to look through the site and leave any feedback they think could improve it. Visit the AI and digital regulations service.