An independent evaluation report has been released today that highlights the important contribution of the NHS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab, a pioneering Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England initiative aimed at effectively integrating AI into the health and care sector.
Led by a team of esteemed senior researchers from The University of Edinburgh, delivery of the report was supported by health economics and project management experts from NHS Arden & GEM’s Health and Care Transformation team. The evaluation provides a comprehensive assessment of the AI Lab’s achievements and challenges, as well as providing valuable learning for future AI opportunities.
Launched in 2019, with an initial investment of £143.5 million, the NHS AI Lab was established to accelerate the safe and effective adoption of AI in healthcare. Over the past five years, it has played a critical role in supporting and coordinating the development, testing and deployment of AI in health and care, as well as shaping regulatory frameworks. The evaluation explores the AI Lab’s contributions to AI policy, infrastructure and real-world applications, ensuring that the NHS remains at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare advancements.
The independent review was conducted between March and December 2024 using a range of evaluation techniques including document reviews, interviews, observations, analytics and outputs measurement. Key findings include:
- Significant progress and learning: The AI Lab has helped to advance AI development and scaling in healthcare, generating valuable insights and lessons that can help to shape future AI strategies for the NHS.
- Return on investment: Early evidence indicates promising financial and patient care benefits, with health economics approaches demonstrating AI-driven technologies yielding substantial cost savings and improved health outcomes for some technologies supported by the NHS AI Lab. There is also early evidence of returns on investment for taxpayers.
- Challenges in scaling and adoption: The report identifies barriers to widespread AI implementation and adoption, including procurement processes, integration with existing infrastructures and processes and the need for stronger alignment with NHS system needs.
- Long-term impact: While some benefits are already evident, the full value of the NHS AI Lab’s work is expected to unfold over longer timeframes, requiring continued monitoring of emerging benefits and adoption processes.
For example, one AI project implemented a diagnostic tool in a non-elective care setting across a range of regional networks within the NHS. The technology provided a set of decision support tools that aided frontline clinicians to make time critical treatment decisions, this resulted in efficiencies in longer term care and patient outcomes leading to a cost saving estimate of over £44 million across a cohort of 150,000 patients.
The report emphasises the need for sustained national support, strategic leadership and evidence-based decision-making to ensure AI’s full potential is realised in healthcare. It also underscores the importance of fostering positive collaboration between AI developers, policymakers and frontline healthcare providers.
Rose Taylor, Executive Director Health and Care Transformation at Arden & GEM, commented: “This evaluation demonstrates the important role that AI can play in the transformation of NHS services. The health economics approach taken in the review has enabled systems to demonstrate that AI technologies can deliver benefits for patients while simultaneously providing productivity and efficiency gains.”
Professor Kathrin Cresswell, lead researcher on the evaluation from The University of Edinburgh, commented: “The NHS AI Lab has been instrumental in positioning the UK at the forefront of delivering system-based change to promote AI-driven healthcare. This evaluation provides real-world empirical evidence and learning that can help to shape future efforts in the UK and internationally.”
Dom Cushnan, Director of AI, Imaging and Deployment, NHS England, commented: “The findings from this report will inform the ongoing development of AI strategies and approaches that can help the NHS to make the strategic shift from analogue to digital in health and care. Helping to shape a future where AI will enhance patient care, operational efficiency and overall healthcare outcomes.”
The full evaluation report is available on The University of Edinburgh’s website
Find out more about the NHS AI Lab here