The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed plans to launch a live artificial intelligence (AI) testing service in September 2025.
According to the official source, the program aims to give financial firms a controlled space to test their AI models before launching them to the market or the public.
New FCA Move To Safeguard AI Use in Finance
The proposed service, forming part of the FCA’s existing AI Lab, will run for 12 to 18 months. It will also provide regulatory support to firms deploying AI tools that directly interact with consumers or influence markets.
FCA chief data, intelligence, and information officer Jessica Rusu remarked, “Under our new strategy, we’ve committed to being increasingly tech positive to support growth. We want financial firms and their customers to benefit from AI, so we’re providing a safe space to test how they plan to use it.”
Participating companies will collaborate closely with the FCA, receiving dedicated guidance as they develop and refine their AI systems. The regulator hopes the pilot will also generate insights into how AI is likely to shape the UK’s financial ecosystem in the years ahead.
On March 4, Lord Holmes reintroduced the Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill to Parliament. It aims to create an AI authority to ensure that regulators consider and align their approaches on AI, identify gaps in AI regulatory responsibilities, coordinate review of relevant laws, and so on.
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