Public Health at the Frontier of AI: Aligning UK Competition Policy with National Health and Innovation Goals

This paper examines the disruptive effect of AI in public health in the UK, refracting healthcare innovation, health equity, and competition policy. As AI tools are integrated into healthcare systems, they offer the potential for increased efficiency, predictive capacity, and better outcomes for patients. These developments also raise ethical and equity - related issues, such as algorithmic bias, the development of transparent models that can be used by underserved populations, cost, and availability. It also addresses the importance of the NHS to safeguard patient data whilst facilitating innovation and the need for strong regulatory frameworks to balance both the need to innovate with oversight. The article also reflects on the potential of more recent legislative developments, such as the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumer Act 2024, to support fair competition in digital health. Overall, the paper calls for a policy environment that ensures AI - led innovations are opportunities for all, including those in vulnerable communities, and supports the UK?s health and innovation objectives.