The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has announced £200 million in funding for a range of schemes aimed at increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by UK businesses.
With the aim of making the UK the become fastest AI adopting country in the G7, the funding announced at the AI Adoption Summit includes:
- £100 million to expand the ‘BridgeAI’ scheme which connect businesses with AI experts and training.
- £53 million for “new initiatives to boost AI adoption and innovation” including the expansion of the Tech Town programme. Barnsley was announced as the first Tech Town earlier this year, with plans to use AI to improve public services and support for businesses.
- £4 million expansion to Spärck AI Scholarships, a programme run by nine universities which is designed to attract top home and global talent to study AI. The expansion will sponsor up to 50 industry placements for university scholars to get experience in companies including BT and Universal Music Group.
- £5 million in each of the government’s AI Growth Zones to help local businesses and workers adopt AI.
- The Pro-Worker AI Adoption Prize to recognises organisations that help workers adapt to AI or create new job opportunities by responsibly using AI. The judging panel is chaired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Simon Johnson and applications are open here until 30 September.
- New AI Advisory Growth Labs for businesses, regulators and experts to work together to trial AI in working environments, starting with legal services. The aim is to give firms clear, practical information on how to responsibly adopt AI while meeting regulations.
Also announced at the summit was more than 30 companies and organisations, including BT, Rolls Royce, LinkedIn, British Chambers of Commerce, and TechUK, signing up to the AI Adoption Insights agreement.
They’ve agreed to share data and insights on how they’re using AI in the workplace, such as how they are supporting staff and adapting the way they work. The government said it will help shape future policyand share expertise with small businesses looking to adopt the technology.
Another announcement is the government signing a statement with Google, Anthropic, Microsoft and OpenAI committing to “close collaboration with the UK government and frontier AI labs in support of evidence-based policymaking and responsible AI development”.
Also published today are AI adoption plans from the government’s ‘AI champions’ who represent the government’s key sectors of focus. Each plan identifies barriers to adoption and outlines recommendations for government, industry, and workers.
The government’s response to the plans is here.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
“AI is the defining technology of our lifetime, and it has the power to transform lives for the better – but only if everyone gets a stake in it.
“That is why we are bringing together businesses, trade unions and workers in a shared mission to make sure no one is left behind.
“By giving workers the skills they need, opening up opportunities for young people, and backing businesses of every size to adopt this technology, we can ensure AI delivers for everyone in every part of Britain.”
Also announced today by the government were initatives to help young people gets jobs in an AI-driven labour market. Measures include new AI training and a AI jobs tool to help young people find work and create CVs.