On 12 March 2021, the Government revealed that a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy will be announced this year.
The plan, revealed by Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden as part of his Ten Tech Priorities last week, will aim to ‘make the UK a global centre for the development, commercialisation and adoption of responsible AI.’
The National 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
The Government’s ‘globally ambitious and socially inclusive’ AI Strategy will build upon the foundations put in place through the AI Sector Deal in May 2019 and will align with the government’s plans to support jobs and economic growth through significant investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation. The Government has committed to achieving Research and Development investment of 2.4% of GDP by 2027.
The strategy 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.
Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden 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.’