The Government has committed further investment to the UK’s
booming Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector by announcing
up to an additional £50 million to attract and retain the
world’s top talent.
The announcement within this week’s budget builds on the AI
Sector Deal, worth up to almost £1 billion, launched
earlier this year. As part of the government’s modern
Industrial Strategy, the sector deal set out how the UK
will be at the forefront of the AI and data revolution.
Working with the Alan Turing Institute, up to £50 million
will be invested in new Turing AI Fellowships to help bring
the best global researchers in AI to the UK. The funding
will allow the UK to attract, retain and develop world
leading research talent.
DCMS Secretary of State said:
Through our modern Industrial Strategy we’re joining with
industry to invest close to £1 billion in AI, to position
the UK as one of the best places in the world to develop
and use this exciting new technology. This investment
will help us to recruit and retain the best talent in AI
and ensure that we are we are leading the way on research
and development in the sector.
Business Secretary said:
The huge potential of artificial intelligence to
transform our economy and our lives for the better, from
revolutionising cancer treatment to combating financial
fraud, is at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy.
This investment is the next step in our commitment to
make Britain the world’s most innovative economy, with
highly-skilled jobs in every part of the UK.
Adrian Smith, Director of The Alan Turing Institute
commented:
In order to realise the significant opportunities for
innovation and growth offered by the data and artificial
intelligence revolution, it is essential that we nurture
and grow the very best academic talent and expertise. We
are delighted to be working with the Government Office
for AI to deliver the Turing AI Fellowships, bringing the
best global researchers to collaborate with us in the UK
and driving forward impact in these technologies for the
benefit of science, society and the economy.
AI technologies offer the potential to drive productivity
up by up to 25 per cent by 2035. The UK is already home to
some of the biggest names in the business such as DeepMind
and is well placed to seize the opportunities that AI
brings.
Investing in leading academic talent will secure the UK’s
international competitiveness and help us to ensure we have
the necessary skills and talent in the UK to help us reap
the potential benefits that AI offers across all sectors.
Also announced at budget was a new review between the
Office for AI and Government Digital Service (GDS) on how
government can use AI in new ways to drive improvements in
public services and wider economic benefits.
The Office for AI and others in HMG will work with the Alan
Turing Institute to finalise the details of the programme
over the next few months, with a view to the first fellows
being in place by Autumn 2019.
