10 yr plan to make UK an ‘AI superpower’ launched

The UK has launched its inaugural national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy today.

The programme lays out a ten-year plan to position the country as an international leader in the governance of AI technologies, the fastest-growing emerging technology in the world.

AI technologies already underpin day-to-day technology through navigation apps, voice recognition technology, anti-fraud systems and certain medical diagnoses.

There are plans to launch a new national programme and approach to support research and development, publish a white paper on the governance and regulation of AI, plus moves to support organisations across all regions and sectors to benefit from expanding AI innovation.

The strategy comes the same week as new data has shown that global investors poured £13.5 billion into more than 1,400 UK tech firms between January and June this year – outperforming Germany, France and Israel combined.

The UK is ranked third in the world for private venture capital investment into AI companies and home to a third of Europe’s total AI companies.

The UK government has invested over £2.3 billion into AI technology since 2014.

Department for digital, culture, media and sport minister Chris Philp said: “Artificial intelligence technologies generate billions for the economy and improve our lives.

“Today we’re laying the foundations for the next ten years’ growth with a strategy to help us seize the potential of artificial intelligence and play a leading role in shaping the way the world governs it.”