Leading industry figures are urging the UK government to enhance its support for pioneering technologies following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of increased investments in artificial intelligence (AI) within the Civil Service and defence sectors.
In her spring statement, Reeves introduced a £3.25 billion Transformation Fund aimed at bolstering efficiency in the public sector. This initiative encourages the integration of AI tools to reduce costs and elevate productivity.
Additionally, she revealed a £2.2 billion boost in defence spending for the upcoming year starting April, with a dedicated 10% allocated for new advanced weaponry, including drones, autonomous systems, and AI-driven capabilities.
These commitments to expand AI technology investments mirror earlier government strategies, notably the AI Opportunities Action Plan unveiled by the Prime Minister.
This plan aims to position the UK as a global AI powerhouse, enhancing the national economy through substantial investments in AI infrastructure and workplace productivity enhancements through AI adoption.
In light of these developments, Feargus MacDaeid, co-founder of AI legal tech firm Definely, commented that the government must intensify its efforts to prevent the UK from falling behind.
“The future growth of the UK’s economy is dependent on our ability to innovate and adopt leading-edge technologies,” MacDaeid stated. He emphasized the need for stable policy frameworks and a clear strategic vision, particularly concerning frontier technologies like AI.
MacDaeid advocates for a more defined national AI strategy, with significant investment in innovation, infrastructure, and crucially, foundational research.
“Frontier technologies are becoming increasingly critical to our national interest, and without supporting high-risk research and innovation, the UK risks losing its competitive edge to other nations,” he added.
He also highlighted the importance of government support in catalyzing private investment, driving bold innovations, and attracting global talent to maintain the UK’s competitive stance in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.
