Several UK universities are set to receive a huge £54m investment to develop trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) research.
Delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), £31m of the funding will be used to back ground-breaking research at the University of Southampton.
This will establish responsible and trustworthy AI research with the expertise of academia, business, and the wider public to explore how responsible AI can be developed and utilised while considering its broader impact on wider society.
The Technology Secretary unveiled the package in a speech at London Tech Week, saying it would advance efforts to secure the UK’s position as a science and tech superpower, fuel economic growth, and create better-paid jobs.
The UK Geospatial Strategy: Unlocking economic benefits
London Tech Week also saw the announcement of the UK’s Geospatial Strategy. This will unlock billions of pounds in economic benefits through harnessing technologies, including AI, satellite imaging and real-time data.
Launching tomorrow, the Geospatial Strategy will drive the use of location data across the economy, including property, transportation and beyond, fuelling growth through innovation.
Chloe Smith, UK Technology Secretary, explained: Despite our size as a small island nation, the UK is a technology powerhouse.
“Last year, the UK became just the third country in the world to have a tech sector valued at $1tr. It is the biggest in Europe by some distance and behind only the US and China globally.”
She continued: “We’re investing in our AI research talent pipeline with a £54m package to develop trustworthy and secure AI and putting our best foot forward as a global leader in tech both now and in the years to come.”
How can developments in AI research boost the economy?
Developments in AI research present enormous opportunities in almost every aspect of modern life. In particular, they can address climate change challenges and pursue net zero targets.
As part of this investment, the remaining £13m will fund 13 projects based at universities across the UK. These projects will develop AI innovations in sustainable land management, efficient CO2 capture, and improved resilience against natural hazards.
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), stated: “UKRI is investing in the people and technologies that will improve lives for people in the UK and around the world.
“By supporting research to develop AI research that is useful, trustworthy and trusted, we are laying solid foundations on which we can build new industries, products and services across a wide range of fields.”
Other scientific research projects
The Technology Secretary also announced that the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology will launch an open call for proposals to pilot new, collaborative approaches to scientific research in the UK, backed by £50m in government funding.
The money will drive investment and partnership with industry and further afield to fund the ideas and innovations not currently addressed in the UK research sector.
Overall, the measures announced today will fuel the Government’s mission to make the UK the most innovative economy in the world and build a technology ecosystem which cements the UK’s place at the frontier of global tech development and AI research.
