The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced a significant expansion of its pioneering ‘AI Airlock’ testing programme, designed to safely trial new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in healthcare
With a £1 million investment, the programme enters its second phase on 23 June 2025, with new applications now open for developers and companies hoping to bring AI-powered medical innovations to market.
A new kind of ‘regulatory sandbox’
The AI Airlock programme is the UK’s first regulatory testing ground for AI medical technologies. Often described as a “sandbox“ or “airlock,“ the programme creates a secure environment where innovators can work directly with MHRA experts to test their AI solutions before they reach real-world clinical settings.
The idea mirrors an airlock in space, creating a boundary between experimental technologies and approved medical tools. It enables developers to explore both the capabilities and risks of AI in a controlled and flexible environment without compromising patient safety.
Successful pilot’s
This second round follows a successful pilot phase, during which four groundbreaking technologies were tested in a sandbox environment. These included:
- An AI tool to help doctors tailor cancer treatment plans to individual patients.
- A real-time monitoring system to help hospitals, AI developers, and regulators track AI performance and safety collaboratively.
These early projects showed the value of regulatory partnerships in developing safe and effective AI for clinical use, setting the stage for broader participation in the next phase.
Supporting innovation while practising safety
The expansion of the Airlock programme is part of a bigger plan to make the UK a global leader in safe AI innovation. It supports the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and aligns with recommendations from the Regulatory Horizons Council, which called for more agile and proactive approaches to regulating AI in medicine.
The programme is also supported by the Government’s Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), which is helping regulators, such as the MHRA, adapt to fast-moving technology landscapes.
By encouraging flexible, agile regulation and cutting unnecessary red tape, the RIO wants to accelerate technologies that support high-growth sectors and deliver better services, particularly within the NHS.
Applications now open
Applications for the second round of the AI Airlock programme are now open, offering a rare opportunity for developers to test their AI medical technologies in close collaboration with regulators.
