The government has announced a dedicated new office that they claim will deliver emerging technologies, like AI and drones, to the UK public faster without “the burden of red tape.”

The new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), formed under the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology, is set to reduce the burden for businesses which aim to bring new products and services to the market in some of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors.

Exemplary innovations include AI-training software for surgeons to deliver more accurate surgical treatments for patients and drones which can improve the delivery to remote areas of the country.

The new RIO is set to support regulators to update regulation, speed up approvals, and help ensure different regulatory bodies work together more seamlessly.

The new office will also inform the government of any barriers to innovation, set priorities for regulators which align with the government’s broader ambitions and support regulators to develop the capability they need to meet them and grow the economy.

The launch of the RIO comes shortly after a raft of public and private investments announced this past weekend aimed at transforming cancer treatments for patients while bringing a wave of cutting-edge UK-made medtech products to the global market.

Four fast-growing areas will make up the RIO’s initial support missions, including engineering biology, space, AI and digital healthcare, and connected and autonomous technology.

These intersectional emerging technologies, which do not fit neatly into existing regulatory frameworks, can mean a slower process in getting them onto the market.

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“The launch of the Regulatory Innovation Office, a key manifesto commitment, is a big step forward in bringing the UK’s most promising new technologies to the public faster and safely while kickstarting economic growth,” Peter Kyle, science and technology secretary, said.

“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.

“From breakthroughs that could help doctors diagnose illnesses earlier to satellite navigation for more accurate weather forecasting and getting emergency supplies to where they are needed, quickly and effectively, RIO will make sure UK companies are at the forefront of the next generation of technologies.”

Secretary Kyle is also seeking to appoint the RIO’s first chair to lead the charge in backing business and safe innovation, and work with regulators and partners to shape a regulatory environment that is fit for the future.