On the day the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare published its report, Catriona speaks with Gabriela Commatteo, AI Regulation Policy and Projects Lead at the MHRA, about what the findings mean if you, or someone you care for, are living with a chronic or rare condition.
Top 5 highlights from the conversation
1. What AI in healthcare actually means
Gabriela explained that AI in healthcare refers to technology that can analyse information, identify patterns and support decisions, not replace clinical judgement. She was clear that most AI in this space is designed to help clinicians do their jobs more effectively rather than to replace doctors or nurses. In practice, that already includes tools that turn a consultation into draft notes automatically, freeing clinicians to focus on the person in front of them.
2. AI is already part of NHS care
Ambient voice technology is already helping some GPs produce consultation notes, and AI-enabled stroke imaging is helping clinicians assess brain scans and identify patients who could benefit from time-critical treatment. The NHS has also launched one of the world’s largest trials of AI in breast cancer screening, involving around 700,000 women, to test whether it can help detect cancer earlier and support radiologists reviewing scans.
3. More than 12,000 people shaped this report
The Commission’s report was informed by one of the most comprehensive engagement exercises on AI in healthcare to date, with more than 12,000 people contributing through public polling, a call for evidence, and partnerships with organisations including National Voices, the Health Foundation and the Ada Lovelace Institute. Gabriela was clear that seldom-heard and underserved groups were a deliberate part of that process, not an afterthought.
4. Trust has to be earned, not assumed
Gabriela said patients are not being asked to trust AI blindly. The Commission heard that support for AI in healthcare is conditional on people understanding how it is being used, having meaningful human oversight, and knowing what happens if something doesn’t go as planned, a message that came directly from thousands of patients, carers and members of the public who took part.
5. Who is responsible if something goes wrong
Asked the question patients care about most, Gabriela said there is no simple answer, since liability depends on the facts of each specific incident. But the Commission’s clear message is that the system needs far greater clarity about who is responsible for what, across manufacturers, healthcare providers, professionals and regulators, and that this report is the beginning of that conversation rather than its conclusion.
About the Expert
Gabriela Commatteo is an AI governance, policy and legal expert with a decade of experience advising public sector organisations on AI regulation. She currently heads the AI Policy and Regulation team at the MHRA, having previously led AI regulation initiatives for the UK government at DSIT and the AI Security Institute, including the AI Regulation White Paper and the groundwork behind the first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park. She is a qualified lawyer with a Masters in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law specialising in AI, and is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London, where she teaches AI law.
Medical disclaimer
This content is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your health.