Overcoming challenges to safely implement AI in health and care

Leeds Digital Health returns on Thursday 14 May 2026 with an evening focused on one of the most pressing questions in health tech: how do you implement AI safely in clinical and care settings? The event runs from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane, Leeds city centre.

The programme covers governance, risk, adoption, trust and integration into existing care pathways. Two confirmed speakers anchor the evening. Jessica Paulsen, Deputy Director of AI and Software at the MHRA, gives a progress update on the National Commission for AI in Medicine. Owen Johnson, Associate Professor at the University of Leeds, presents a talk titled "No AI without PI: how better process intelligence can address AI safety challenges." There is also a talk from Tortus, a panel discussion, and time for networking before and after the formal programme.

The event is aimed at people working across healthcare, technology and digital delivery — clinicians, product managers, engineers, commissioners and policy folk who need to understand what responsible AI implementation actually looks like in practice, not in theory.

Leeds Digital Health has been running events like this for several years, bringing together the city's health and tech communities around topics that matter to both. The format is deliberately mixed: short talks, a panel, and generous networking time, so attendees leave with contacts as well as ideas. The MHRA's involvement here is notable — regulatory perspective on AI in medicine is not something you often get at a free community meetup.

Why attend

The MHRA's Jessica Paulsen will give a direct update on where the National Commission for AI in Medicine has got to — useful if you're building, procuring or governing AI tools in a health context and need to understand the regulatory direction of travel.

Owen Johnson's process intelligence framing offers a practical angle on AI safety that goes beyond the usual compliance checklist. The panel discussion and two networking slots mean there is real time to talk to peers from both the NHS and the Leeds tech sector. If AI in health is part of your work, this is a well-connected room to be in.

Agenda

• 5:30 — Networking and drinks
• 6:00 — Welcome
• 6:05 — Talk from Tortus
• 6:35 — Talk from MHRA: "Progress update — the National Commission for AI in Medicine" (Jessica Paulsen)
• 6:45 — Break
• 7:15 — Panel discussion
• 7:45 — Talk: "No AI without PI: how better process intelligence can address AI safety challenges" (Owen Johnson)
• 8:05 — Formal close and final networking

Speakers

• Jessica Paulsen — Deputy Director of AI and Software, MHRA; presenting a progress update on the National Commission for AI in Medicine
• Owen Johnson — Associate Professor, University of Leeds; presenting "No AI without PI: how better process intelligence can address AI safety challenges"
• Tortus — speaker name not confirmed; presenting earlier in the evening