New regulatory office will support healthcare AI innovations

Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle has announced the launch of a regulatory office, which will support the healthcare sector to deploy AI innovations safely.

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) aims to reduce the burden of red tape for businesses hoping to bring new products and services to the market, so they can reach the public faster and help boost the economy.

A press release, published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on 8 October 2024, says that the RIO will “support regulators to update regulation, speeding up approvals, and ensuring different regulatory bodies work together smoothly”.

It adds that the RIO will initially support four areas of technology: AI and digital in healthcare, connected and autonomous technology, engineering biology and space.

The RIO will work with the Department of Health and Social Care to help safely deploy AI innovations, such as AI training software for surgeons.

In a statement, Kyle, said: “From breakthroughs that could help doctors diagnose illnesses earlier to satellite navigation for more accurate weather forecasting and getting emergency supplies to where they are needed, quickly and effectively, RIO will make sure UK companies are at the forefront of the next generation of technologies.”

Applications are being welcomed for the RIO’s first chair, who DSIT says will be appointed to “lead the charge in backing business and safe innovation, and work with regulators and partners to shape a regulatory environment that is fit for the future”.

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Source: Digital Health, 8 October 2024