UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has welcomed the government’s first national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, which has been published today.

The strategy seeks to strengthen the UK’s position as a global science superpower and seize the potential of modern technology to improve people’s lives and solve global challenges, such as climate change and public health.

AI is already transforming our world and is helping us meet challenges in fields such as:

• health
• energy
• the environment.

Whilst the use of AI across different sectors and applications has grown in recent years, the potential of AI technologies is far from being realised. Increasing the UK’s AI research and innovation capabilities will be key to unlocking the benefits that these technologies can drive across society.

EPSRC Executive Chair, Professor Dame Lynn Gladden said:
"UKRI fully embraces the opportunity of AI, as recognised in the government’s AI strategy.

Research and innovation are key to ensuring that the potential of AI is realised across society and the economy. It is UKRI’s ambition to build upon the UK’s strengths in AI research and innovation to unlock the potential benefits of these technologies.

We are working with our partners in academia, business and government to establish a national AI research and innovation programme that creates an environment in which world-leading researchers and innovators will thrive."