Usher Director appointed to new National AI Commission on Healthcare Regulation

Professor Cathie Sudlow, Director of the Usher Institute, has been appointed as a founding member of the UK Government’s newly launched National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.

The UK National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare has been launched by the government, delivered by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and its partners. The Commission offers an expert body that will define the future of AI regulation in healthcare and position the UK as the world's most AI-enabled healthcare system.

The National Commission will shape a new framework by 2026, delivering on key commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan to modernise the NHS and boost UK health tech investment. Experts who have worked with global tech companies will support leading clinicians, regulators and global AI experts on the Commission.

It is a privilege to be contributing to this MHRA-led Commission. To fully realise the benefits of AI in healthcare, we need novel approaches that will enable agile, transparent and trustworthy regulation of AI products. I look forward to bringing to the Commission my expertise in the UK’s rich health data assets, which will continue to underpin innovation in AI and to play a key role in its regulation.

Professor Cathie Sudlow OBE Director of Usher Institute

Chaired on behalf of the MHRA by Prof Alastair Denniston, head of the UK’s Centre of Excellence in Regulatory Science in AI & Digital Health (CERSI-AI), and deputy chaired by the Patient Safety Commissioner Prof Henrietta Hughes, the group will guide how cutting-edge AI technologies can be responsibly integrated into everyday healthcare.

Effective regulation is vital to ensure that AI in healthcare is deployed safely and responsibly, addressing challenges such as hallucinations, bias and model drift. The National Commission will advise on a new framework by 2026 that safeguards patients while also supporting innovation and growth.

In the meantime, the Commission will provide interim guidance on priority areas, such as AI scribes, which could free up thousands of GP hours across the NHS. With AI already transforming diagnostics - from stroke care to cancer detection - and with radiology accounting for the majority of AI-enabled medical devices, robust oversight is essential to maximise benefits and reduce risks.

Further information

New Commission to help accelerate NHS use of AI | GOV.UK

AI and Health Care: UK Grapples With Regulation While Seeking Investment | Bloomberg

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