FCA opens AI Live Testing applications

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has opened applications for the second cohort of its AI Live Testing service, aimed at firms that are ready to use artificial intelligence in UK financial markets. The FCA describes the service as “first of its kind” in the financial sector, providing participating firms with tailored support from its regulatory team and its technical partner, Advai, to help develop, assess and deploy safe and responsible AI. 

AI Live Testing is intended to help firms address key evaluation questions, particularly around governance, risk management and ongoing monitoring, so AI is deployed safely and responsibly for consumers and markets. The FCA also notes that this work will help it understand how AI may shape UK financial markets and inform its future approach; it complements the FCA’s Supercharged Sandbox for firms in earlier discovery and experimentation phases. Applications are due by 2 March 2026, successful applicants will be notified by mid-March, and testing is due to start from April 2026. 

Source: Applications now open for next round of FCA’s AI Live Testing | FCA