Detecting harm associated with artificial intelligence in medical devices is the subject of a new UK student essay competition. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency announced the initiative November 2, alongside the November 2–8 medicines-safety campaign.

The competition now includes pharmacy students as well as medical students. Entrants are asked to consider practical improvements in reporting AI-related adverse events and how the Yellow Card system could help identify risks as these technologies enter clinical use.

Essays can contain up to 2,000 words, with submissions closing January 11, 2027. Six prizes are available across the two student categories. First prizes include £500 and an invitation to present to national medicines and devices advisory groups.

The initiative places attention on the information regulators receive after healthcare products are used. The wider campaign encourages patients, carers and professionals to report suspected safety problems involving medicines and devices. Its announcement is a request for better detection and reporting, rather than evidence that a particular AI product has caused harm.