We’re proud to share that Professor Alastair Denniston, a key contributor to Theme 3 of the NIHR BTRU in Precision Cellular Therapeutics, has been appointed Chair of the newly established UK National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare, a pivotal advisory body launched by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Commission was created to address one of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine: how to safely and effectively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice.
The Commission’s mandate includes:
- Developing a new regulatory framework for AI in healthcare, due for publication in 2026.
- Advising on urgent areas of uncertainty, such as adaptive algorithms and emerging technologies like ambient voice tools.
- Driving NHS transformation and growth by supporting commitments in the government’s 10-Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan.
Alastair brings exceptional expertise to this role as a practising NHS clinician, Professor of Regulatory Science and Innovation at the University of Birmingham, Executive Director of the UK Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Science in AI & Digital HealthTech (CERSI-AI) and Director of the Birmingham Health Partners Centre for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CRSI).
This initiative isn’t just about regulation—it’s about shaping the future of healthcare. By creating clear rules for how AI can be safely used, the Commission will help unlock innovations that improve patient care, speed up diagnoses, and make the NHS more efficient. It’s a big step toward turning cutting-edge technology into real-world benefits for patients and clinicians, while ensuring trust and transparency every step of the way. Alastair’s leadership will help position the UK as a global hub for responsible AI adoption in healthcare, supporting the NHS’s digital transformation and the government’s 10-Year Health Plan.
Watch a video here to learn more about this important initiative.