Safe AI Innovation Action Plan has been published by the Office of Rail and Road, setting out how the regulator plans to enable safe AI adoption across UK rail and England’s strategic road network.

Safe AI Innovation Action Plan: ORR rail AI rules
Photo: Office of Rail and Road

What the Safe AI Innovation Action Plan covers?

The plan starts with a focus on two linked issues: clarifying AI use safety risks and defining regulatory expectations for AI. ORR says these details are due to be published by the end of September through the Digital Safety Strategy and the Strategic Risk Chapter.

That chapter will address health and safety risks arising from the use of digital systems. For the rail sector, the work is intended to give industry a clearer framework for understanding how artificial intelligence can be used without weakening safety standards or regulatory confidence.

How ORR plans to use AI internally?

AI is already part of some internal ORR processes. Later this year, the regulator plans to look at how AI-related innovations could support checks that confirm whether trains and infrastructure can safely work together across the rail network.

This work relates to interoperability authorisations, a key process for confirming compatibility between rolling stock and infrastructure. ORR also intends to build AI into its analysis of consumer datasets, with the aim of identifying issues earlier and supporting intervention where needed.

Responsible AI adoption with users in focus

In the Office of Rail and Road’s official announcement, the Safe AI Innovation Action Plan is presented as a way to give industry more regulatory stability while reassuring users that AI can be applied responsibly, transparently and safely.

Stephanie Tobyn, Director of Strategy, Policy and Regulation at ORR, said:

“ORR’s action plan illustrates how we’re playing our part in enabling responsible adoption of AI with users at the heart of innovation.

We’re providing regulatory stability for industry in what we expect from them and in doing so also providing reassurance to users that within the industries we regulate AI can be utilised responsibly, transparently and safely.”