UKRI has set out its first-ever plan to put AI to work for the nation’s world-leading innovators.
In the recent Spending Review settlement, UKRI committed £1.6 billion of funding directly targeted at the AI sector over the next 4 years.
This includes funding for specific activity that UKRI will deliver on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) – which is subject to change as delivery plans are finalised.
It also sits alongside significant additional AI investment woven through the broader UKRI budget.
Deputy prime minister, David Lammy, said: “The UK is backing its pioneering AI leadership with more than £1.6 billion in investment to make sure the best of British expertise develops the next wave of AI innovations.
“Together we are turning potential into progress and that’s the ambition I am bringing to the AI Summit in India this week.
“From spotting cancers earlier to cutting backlogs in public services, new research into AI will be a game-changer, bringing the promise of tomorrow’s technologies to the UK today.”
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