National AI Commission: Ask Me Anything
Updated 9 June 2026
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On 20 May 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) hosted a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) event on the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
The event gave patients, members of the public and wider stakeholders the opportunity to hear directly from leaders of the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare (The Commission) and ask questions about what AI in healthcare could mean for patients, healthcare professionals and the future regulation of healthcare.
Webinar recording
National AI Commission – Ask me Anything
Webinar overview
The discussion began with an introduction to the Commission, including why it was established, how it operates and its role in considering the future regulation of AI in healthcare. This was followed by an overview of what the Commission has heard through its wider research and engagement activity.
Building on these insights, leaders responded to concerns raised through the wider research and engagement programme and questions submitted in advance of the webinar. The discussion explored topics including safety, transparency, accountability and human involvement in AI-enabled healthcare before moving into a moderated live Q&A. This enabled real-time engagement with participants, while helping to keep the discussion focused on the Commission’s remit and the issues most relevant to patients and the public.
The event concluded with an update on the next phase of the Commission’s work, including the publication of findings from the Research and Engagement Programme and the continued development of the Commission’s recommendations.
Full webinar details
The webinar was chaired by Jessica Paulsen, Deputy Director of AI and Software at the MHRA, and brought together:
- Professor Alastair Denniston, Chair of the Commission
- Professor Henrietta Hughes, Deputy Chair of the Commission and Patient Safety Commissioner for England
- Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA and Chair of the Commission’s Cross-Whitehall Working Group
The webinar was designed to provide open and honest responses to questions about AI in healthcare. Where there were clear answers, these were shared. Where issues are still being considered, speakers explained the current position and the questions the Commission is continuing to explore.
The questions submitted before and during the event helped shape both the discussion and the live Q&A. Together, they provided valuable insight into the issues, concerns and priorities raised by patients, the public and stakeholders, helping to inform the Commission’s thinking as it develops its recommendations.
What we heard
Questions submitted before and during the event highlighted both the potential for AI to improve healthcare and the importance of ensuring it is introduced safely, responsibly and transparently. Participants were interested in how AI could support patients and healthcare professionals, while also raising questions about regulation, accountability and oversight.
Recurring themes included:
- patient safety and accuracy
- transparency and communication
- accountability and responsibility when things go wrong
- meaningful human involvement
- data governance and privacy
- balancing innovation with appropriate safeguards
Listening to the public
Alongside this webinar, the MHRA’s wider programme of research and engagement has helped ensure that patient, public and stakeholder perspectives are considered alongside clinical, technical, regulatory and industry expertise.
A summary of findings from the research and engagement programme will be published shortly, providing a transparent account of what we have heard through this work.
About the Commission
The Commission has been set up to advise and inform the development of a new regulatory framework for AI in healthcare.
It brings together experts from across healthcare, science, technology and policy, including clinicians, researchers, industry leaders and regulators.
By bringing these different perspectives together, the Commission is working through the key questions this technology raises.
It will make recommendations to the MHRA to help shape the rules that:
- protect patients
- support innovation
- make sure people can benefit from new technologies
This is not about holding innovation back. It is about getting it right.