On 16 October 2025, the MHRA announced seven technologies for the second phase of its AI Airlock programme. The programme provides a controlled environment for exploring the challenges posed by AI used as a medical device.
Different tasks, different questions
The technologies covered areas including clinical note-taking, cancer diagnostics, genetic eye conditions and interpretation of clinical information. These uses raise different questions about reliability, oversight and how a tool fits into care.
Testing potential rather than declaring success
Selection for a programme is not the same as approval for routine use or proof of a promised benefit. The Airlock approach was designed to examine effectiveness, identify limitations and consider possible routes through regulation.
Why the process matters
A tool that appears useful in development still needs to be understood in its intended setting. For healthcare staff and patients, the important distinction is between what a system might achieve and what evidence supports. Regulatory learning is part of closing that gap.
