DRCF AI and Digital Hub

DRCF AI and Digital Hub

The DRCF AI and Digital Hub (the ‘Hub’) is a free informal advice service designed to support innovators with cross-regulatory queries. Innovators are welcome to submit specific queries which span the regulatory remits of at least two DRCF member regulators (CMA, ICO, FCA, Ofcom) by completing the application form on our website (AI and Digital Hub | DRCF). The Hub launched on 22 April and will run for a one-year pilot period ending in March 2025.

The DRCF AI and Digital Hub is open to organisations of any size, in any sector as long as you meet the Hub’s eligibility criteria. Acceptance of a query is at the discretion of the DRCF regulators, having considered whether we have sufficient capacity in the Hub, and if the Hub is the correct vehicle to respond to a particular query.

What are the eligibility criteria?

The AI and Digital Hub has four eligibility criteria:

• Your product, service or business model that you are asking about must be innovative (a new or adapted way of conducting an activity);

• Your product, service or business model that you are asking about must be digital or use artificial intelligence (AI);

• Your product, service or business model that you are asking about must be beneficial to consumers and/or contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the UK;

• Your query is cross-regulatory and falls within the scope of at least two of the four DRCF members’ regulatory remits (CMA, FCA, ICO, Ofcom). Your query should specifically address a challenge you are experiencing in applying these regulatory remits.

What is the benefit of the service to innovators?

The aim of the Hub is to increase innovators’ confidence in bringing new products, services and business models responsibly to market, by helping them understand and navigate regulatory requirements. This is a valuable opportunity for innovators to receive free and informal advice from four regulators all in one place, saving innovators time and money.

The Hub can help innovators through:

• Regulatory clarification on regulatory frameworks that apply to innovators’ products, services or business models

• Helping innovators understand regulation to support their product, service or business models design choices

• Saving innovators time and money on their regulatory questions

• Offering a single point of access to engage regulators, via the DRCF website

• Providing prompt responses for successful applicants, who will receive a response in eight weeks after acceptance

Category:Regulation