Image source: GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has said it will produce an AI Opportunities Action Plan to accelerate the use of the technology with better services and new products.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle has appointed Matt Clifford, tech entrepreneur and chair of the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency, to lead the effort, saying it is making AI a central element of the Government’s agenda to deliver sustained economic growth and improved public services.
It will involve exploring how to build a UK AI sector that can scale and compete on the global stage and setting out how to boost take-up of the technology across all parts of the economy. It will also consider the necessary infrastructure, talent, and data access required to drive adoption by the public and private sectors.
DSIT said that estimates from the International Monetary Fund show that while the exact economic impact hinges on the wider development and adoption of AI, and realisation could be gradual, the UK could ultimately see productivity gains of up to 1.5% annually.
Clifford is scheduled to deliver a set of recommendations to the science secretary in September.
Team for opportunities
Alongside this, DSIT – acting as the digital centre of government - will establish an AI Opportunities Unit to bring together the knowledge and expertise to take full advantage of AI and implement recommendations from the plan.
Kyle said: “We're putting AI at the heart of the Government's agenda to boost growth and improve our public services.
“Matt Clifford brings a wealth of experience and shares my ambition when it comes to realising the opportunities of AI, using it to drive growth and improve people’s lives. Together we will use AI to drive productivity and economic growth in every part of the country so we can make everyone better off.”
Clifford said: “AI presents us with so many opportunities to grow the economy and improve people’s lives. The UK is leading the way in many areas, but we can do even better.
“I’m excited to start work and develop an ambitious roadmap to identify the biggest opportunities and support the new Government as it makes important choices about where to focus its efforts.”
Engagement expectation
Work on the action plan will involve engaging key figures across industry and civil society to help in its development.
It will also consider key enablers such as the UK’s compute and broader infrastructure requirements by 2030, how this infrastructure is made available for start-ups and scale-ups and how to develop and attract top AI talent in the public and private sector.
Last year Clifford acted as representative of the previous Government at the first AI Safety Summit.
