Digital Secretary revealed the move as he set out his Ten Tech Priorities to
power a golden age of tech in the UK this week.
The new AI strategy will focus on:
- Growth of the economy through widespread use of AI
technologies
- Ethical, safe and trustworthy development of responsible AI
- Resilience in the face of change through an emphasis on
skills, talent and R&D
Digital Secretary said:
Unleashing the power of AI is a top priority in our plan to be
the most pro-tech government ever. The UK is already a world
leader in this revolutionary technology and the new AI Strategy
will help us seize its full potential - from creating new jobs
and improving productivity to tackling climate change and
delivering better public services.
The Government will build on the UK’s strong foundations put in
place through the AI Sector Deal to
develop and deliver an AI Strategy that is both globally
ambitious and socially inclusive.
It will consider recommendations from the AI Council, an
independent expert committee that advises the government, which
published its AI Roadmap in January,
alongside input from industry, academia and civil society.
Business Secretary said:
The UK is already harnessing the enormous potential of AI to
improve all our lives - from faster and more effective disease
diagnosis, to controlling the heating in our homes.
Through this strategy we will nurture our AI pioneers to
accelerate bringing new technologies to market, unlock
high-skilled jobs, drive up productivity and cement the UK’s
status as a global science superpower.
The National AI Strategy will align with the government’s plans
to support jobs and economic growth through significant
investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation. This comes
as the UK sees a boost in R&D investment through the
government’s Research and Development
Roadmap to reach 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027.
Tabitha Goldstaub, Co-founder of CognitionX, AI Council Chair and
AI Business Champion said
The Council are thrilled that the key recommendation of the AI
Roadmap has been taken forward. We are committed to working
with the Office for AI to ensure that the wider AI Ecosystem is
represented in the next phase and together ensure the UK
economy and society benefits from Artificial Intelligence.
Dame Wendy Hall, UK AI Skills Champion, Regius Professor of
Computer Science, University of Southampton said:
I welcome the National AI Strategy and look forward to working
with the Office for AI on the recommendations made in the AI
Roadmap to scaleup and commit to an on going 10 year programme
of high level AI skill-building whilst also committing to
achieving AI and data literacy for everyone.
Sir , Institute
Director and Chief Executive, The Alan Turing Institute said:
Artificial intelligence has extraordinary potential to tackle
some of the biggest challenges in science, society and the
economy. But creating AI for public good, that brings societal
benefit to all, and harnesses the UK’s considerable legacy,
expertise and innovation in this space requires collaboration
and a shared vision.
It is extremely welcome to see the commitment to a National
Strategy for AI announced today, and we at The Alan Turing
Institute look forward to bringing our research excellence,
thriving network and national leadership role to this effort.
Gerard Grech, CEO of Tech Nation said:
UK AI continues to go from strength-to-strength: in 2020 UK
firms that were adopting or creating AI-based technologies
received £1.78bn in funding, compared to £525m raised by French
companies and £386m raised in Germany.
It’s exciting and encouraging to hear the government announce a
National AI Strategy, which will accelerate the UK’s global
strength in AI development. We continue to see scaleups across
the UK use AI to solve pressing challenges, and this will be an
important catalyst to translate into impact.
Baroness Joanna Shields OBE, CEO of BenevolentAI, Co-Chair of the
GPAI Steering Committee and Chair of the GPAI Multi-stakeholder
Experts Group Plenary said:
AI is vital for the future of our economy, security and
society. This National Strategy on AI is key to defining and
realising this vision, and unlocking the potential of AI to
drive innovation, economic growth, job creation and social
good. As we build back after COVID-19, this investment in
technology could not be more important. Now is the time to work
together to build an AI-enabled future that works for everyone,
and I welcome this next step.
Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President of techUK said:
The UK is already a global leader in AI but to remain globally
competitive we must keep pace. techUK welcomes the new National
AI Strategy, which will enable us to leverage joined-up
thinking and investment from across industry and government.
Setting a clear vision for the UK to remain at the forefront of
the development and use of innovative, responsible and ethical
AI could not have come at a better time.
Dr Bill Mitchell OBE, Director of Policy, BCS – The Chartered
Institute for IT said:
Tomorrow’s AI technologies will be capable of transforming how
we thrive in our daily lives and work, how we can care for the
vulnerable in our society, and how we can build a more
sustainable future in a constantly online world.
None of that will happen by chance, so the BCS very much
welcomes the government’s announcement that it will shape the
future of AI through a new national AI strategy that has at its
heart inclusivity, fairness to all and ethical values and one
that is delivered by world class AI professionals. At BCS we
very much look forward to playing our part in supporting that
strategy.
Notes to editors:
- The AI Council and Office for AI have begun engaging with the
AI ecosystem on the AI Council’s Roadmap. This engagement will
continue with a view to shaping the National AI Strategy.
- Find out more about the AI Strategy and register your
interest.
