Abstract 

On 29 January 2026, TOPRA held its inaugural Annual Lecture at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London. This important event brought together senior regulatory leaders, policymakers and innovators for an inspiring discussion on one of the most critical issues of our time: the responsible global governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

We know that digital transformation in healthcare is changing the way we diagnose, treat and manage disease, but it is less certain how we ensure equitable progress and build public trust across human medicines, veterinary medicines and medical devices. This lecture brought together an esteemed panel of experts from regulatory bodies and industry to explore how regulatory systems worldwide can collaborate to ensure the effective and transparent use of AI.

For those unable to attend in person, this article aims to give a snapshot of the proceedings and a summary of the discussions.