In a landmark move to bolster the UK’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector, the government has announced a major funding boost for The Alan Turing Institute.
In his Spring budget announcement, United Kingdom Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, made a significant commitment to the UK’s AI sector, pledging GBP 100 million in funding to The Alan Turing Institute— the UK’s national institute for data science and AI.
According to a press release, the funding is a “key milestone in the delivery of the Institute’s new strategy which sets out how it will use data science and AI to tackle some of the biggest issues facing society.”
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will inject GBP 100 million over the next five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Leading AI Development and Adoption
The institute is primarily government-funded and focuses on three areas of AI: environment and sustainability, health and defense, and national security, with the overall goal of becoming the “best place in the world for data science and AI research, collaboration, and business.”
“The Alan Turing Institute is at the forefront of our national AI capability and has helped to cement the UK’s position as a leader in this transformative technology,” said UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser. “This new investment will ensure that the Turing can continue to explore the frontiers of AI, working across the research and innovation system to deliver the UK’s AI Strategy.”
“Our purpose is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence to change the world for the better and this GBP 100 million investment will allow us to chart a new path over the next five years, working with our partners across the ecosystem to uncover solutions to society’s greatest challenges,” confirmed Dr Jean Innes, Chief Executive of The Alan Turing Institute.
The UK government is currently making significant investments in AI. These investments signify the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. By allocating resources towards AI research, development, and implementation initiatives, the UK aims to harness the power of AI to address societal challenges, improve public services, and stimulate job creation. Additionally, these investments underscore the government’s recognition of AI as a critical driver of future prosperity, positioning the UK as a leader in AI innovation and adoption on the global stage.
