Blueprint for AI regulation could cut NHS waiting timesLiz Kendall, science secretary (Credit: Alecsandra Dragoi / Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)The government has announced a new blueprint for AI regulation which could help cut NHS waiting times for patients and time demands on frontline NHS staff. Liz Kendall, technology secretary, confirmed the new AI Growth Lab on 21 October 2025, which will look at how companies and innovators can test new AI products in real-world conditions, with some rules and regulations temporarily relaxed under strict supervision. Known as sandboxes, individual regulations are temporarily switched off or tweaked for a limited period in safe, controlled testing environments. Speaking at the Times Tech Summit, Kendall said: “To deliver national renewal, we need to overhaul the old approaches which have stifled enterprise and held back our innovators. The government has launched a public call for views on its AI Growth Lab proposals, to help consider whether the programme should be run in-house by the government or overseen by regulators.
