The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has reduced its funding for the NHS AI Lab by £111 million, from an initial commitment of £250 million to just £139 million, according to Digital Health News.
Launched in 2019 by former health secretary Matt Hancock, the NHS AI Lab was established with the aim of tackling various health and care challenges, such as advancing cancer detection, developing new treatments for dementia, and enhancing personalized care.
Despite the budget cut, the NHS AI Lab has supported initiatives like the AI Ethics Initiative, the National Covid-19 Chest Imaging Database, and the AI Regulation program. Additionally, £113 million has been allocated to 83 projects through the Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award.
Commenting on the reduced funding, Pritesh Mistry from the King’s Fund expressed concerns about the implications for AI implementation in the NHS. A key focus moving forward is expanding expertise and capabilities within the healthcare system to harness the full potential of AI.
Furthermore, an independent evaluation of the AI projects funded by the NHS is underway to assess their impact and effectiveness. The evaluation aims to provide insights into how AI technologies are transforming healthcare delivery in the UK.
As the NHS continues to embrace AI innovations, a collaboration charter between the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI) and NHSE has been signed to support the responsible adoption of AI solutions in healthcare.
