Says it will support businesses to bring new technologies to market more efficiently
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UK sets up Regulatory Innovation Office to speed up tech adoption
The UK government has announced the establishment of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) to accelerate economic growth and foster technological innovation.
The new initiative aims to streamline the regulatory process for emerging technologies, such as AI, biotechnology, and drones.
According to the government, the RIO will play a crucial role in supporting businesses to bring cutting-edge technologies to market more efficiently. By working with existing regulators, the office will help to expedite the approval process, reduce regulatory burdens, and create a more favourable environment for innovation.
One of the key focus areas for RIO will be AI training software. The office will support the development and deployment of AI training software for surgeons, enabling more accurate surgical treatments and improving patient outcomes. Moreover, it will work for the integration of AI into healthcare delivery, improving diagnosis, patient care and hospital efficiency.
Another key area for RIO will be to facilitate the use of drones for various applications, including business efficiency and critical deliveries to remote areas.
It will also support the commercialisation of new products and services derived from synthetic biology and biotechnology, such as innovative vaccines, cleaner fuels and sustainable food production.
To back the UK’s growing space industry, the RIO will focus on regulatory reform to foster competition, encourage investment and improve market access.
The government is currently seeking a highly qualified individual to lead the RIO. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in driving the office’s mission and ensuring its effectiveness.
Investment in key sectors
The launch of the RIO aligns with the UK government’s broader commitment to economic growth and investment in key sectors.
Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves are set to host an international investment summit on 14th October to showcase the country’s openness to business and investment.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle expressed enthusiasm for the RIO, highlighting its potential to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and improve the lives of UK citizens.
“By speeding up approvals, providing regulatory certainty and reducing unnecessary delays, we’re curbing the burden of red tape so businesses and our public services can innovate and grow, which means more jobs, a stronger economy, and a better quality of life for people across the UK,” he said.
Neil Ross, associate director for policy at techUK, welcomed the launch of the RIO.
“The UK is home to amazing array of innovation, however, historically we have been slow to deploy new technologies at pace and at scale,” Ross said.
“techUK and our members are supportive of the aims of the RIO, which intends to address this historic problem. By smoothing the path to deployment of new technologies, the RIO can open the door to significant applications both in the commercial sphere and for public services.”
In addition to the RIO, the UK government has also announced some other initiatives to support innovation and economic growth.
One of them is a £1.6 million Engineering Biology Sandbox Fund to support the development of innovative regulatory approaches for products like cultivated meat.
The government is also publishing Synthetic Nucleic Acid Guidance, a voluntary screening guidance for synthetic nucleic acid technologies, which can be used to engineer biological systems for various applications.