Building trustworthy Al for better care and a stronger NHS

BRC: Birmingham researchers are leading the UK in making healthcare AI safe, effective, equitable and trusted, delivering benefits for patients, clinicians and the NHS.

Influencing policy and practice

Led by Professor Alastair Denniston, the UK’s Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation in AI and Digital Health (CERSI-AI) is influencing national healthcare AI policy and practice, supporting the NIHR Incubator for AI and Digital Healthcare. CERSI-AI delivers work on AI safety, transparency, bias and regulation, shaping how AI technologies are evaluated, regulated, commissioned and implemented in the NHS and globally, leveraging NIHR support for system and patient benefit.

Transforming practice and services

The team developed the first blueprint for NHS commissioning AI screening, providing a framework for safe AI adoption in England’s diabetic eye screening programme. The team is also evaluating AI decision-support and digital approaches in primary care (for diabetes and kidney disease), earlier detection and diagnosis across eye disease, Parkinson’s and ulcerative colitis. Together, this work supports rapid, timely community care and could reduce unnecessary hospital referrals and follow-ups.

Better outcomes for patients and the public

The diabetic eye screening programme currently covers ~4 million people in England, facing growing demand and workforce pressures. AI-supported screening can help clinicians identify high-risk patients earlier and provide more timely care, preserving eyesight and independence and reducing healthcare, rehabilitation and social care costs.

The team is also developing the world’s first safety guide for public use of AI health chatbots, providing patients with recommendations for adopting these emerging technologies safely and effectively.

Innovation, investment and UK competitiveness

This work has established BRC: Birmingham as a national centre for trustworthy healthcare AI, connecting the NHS, universities, regulators and industry, supporting innovation, attracting commercial investment, building research capacity and strengthening UK leadership.

Inclusion and public involvement

By developing these frameworks with patients, public, clinicians and regulators, our teams are ensuring AI benefits all communities, addresses health inequalities and is responsibly adopted.