A first-of-its-kind database of the UK
AI industry finds the majority of companies are not directly
contributing towards the public good, despite many having at some
point benefitted from public funds, according to a new report
from the Institute for Public Policy Research
(IPPR).
The think tank compiled a database of
3,256 AI firms operating in the UK to detail the type of
applications, sectors, and specific challenges these companies
focus on.
The majority of companies (85 per
cent) do not focus on specific problems or specific sectors but
offer ‘generic' AI solutions.
The authors say too many firms focus
on improving existing businesses process, such as creating
efficiencies for back-office tasks that could reduce head count
in areas like marketing, customer management and administration,
while too few focus on building something new and exciting, such
as much needed innovations that tackle ill health early in
life.
Despite one in five companies
receiving public funds, only 15 per cent of firms focus on
solving specific societal problems like delivering better,
sustainable transport or improving public health.
However, the UK is in a promising
position to build on its strengths as an AI innovation hub – the
UK is the leading generative AI patent hub in Europe – and
develop more companies focused on the public
good.
There are an encouraging number of UK
firms working on breakthrough technologies, that with more
government support, could lead the way in giving the UK AI
industry a sense of purpose and
direction.
For example, Health Navigator (HN)
uses AI to predict hospitalisations, and could play a role in
helping the government achieve its milestone in reducing waiting
lists.
Through its AI Opportunities Action
Plan, the government wants to “shape the AI revolution rather
than wait to see how it shapes us” and “shape the application of
AI within a modern social market economy”. But without
intervention, the current pipeline of AI innovation lacks clear
direction towards social objectives, say the report's
authors.
IPPR recommends the government takes a
more activist role to give the sector a sense of purpose and
direction. To do this is should:
-
Set up a new AI Tracking
Unit in government,
to map what types of AI deployment is occurring and where the
gaps are; this should include understanding what the impact for
jobs and businesses will be
-
Steer AI innovation to focus
on ‘problem areas' by using Innovate UK's grant-making powers, and the
British Business Bank, to focus funding on AI firms which align
with the government's missions
-
Direct the government's huge
procurement budget to ‘make a market' for breakthrough AI
innovations by
backing companies that solve specific problems, and making the
government a more dynamic player in rewarding
innovation
Carsten Jung, head of AI at
IPPR, said:
“AI progress continues to
accelerate at an unprecedented pace and is poised to have a
seismic impact on economy and society. The government has said it
wants to ‘shape the AI revolution' but currently much of AI
innovation is generic and not focussed on solving hard
problems.
“Too many companies are focussed
on generic process improvements rather than coming up with new,
better products. And too few innovations are aimed at solving big
societal problems, such as public health and climate change. This
quantity over quality, profit over purpose, speed over substance,
approach is a huge missed
opportunity.
“The dearth of breakthrough AI
innovation is partly a result of innovation policy, which has
often been unfocussed and risk averse. The government has many
levers to steer the UK AI industry towards fixing hard problems.
With a push in the right direction, UK companies could lead the
world in developing AI that serves the public good—enhancing
sustainability, improving healthcare outcomes, and boosting
opportunity.”
Hugh Lloyd-Jukes, chief
executive at Health Navigator (HN),
said:
"HN exists to help patients stay
out of hospital and lead healthier, longer lives. We believe the
published evidence shows that HN's service can support the
government's healthcare priorities nationally - as well as health
systems around the world.
“HN is proud to support NHS North
East London to deliver proactive population health management to
2.5 million Londoners as part of the NHS' National Demonstrator
for AI-guided Clinical Coaching, working in partnership with
UCLPartners.
“10 years of published research
within the NHS has shown that deployment of HN‘s technology and
its Personalised Care Institute (PCI) accredited health coaches
can reduce A&E attendances, hospital admissions and the
length of hospital stays. Patients report a much more positive
care journey and better care outcomes following contact with
HN."
