In a move to bolster Britain’s burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) sector, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is set to announce a significant increase in funding for the Alan Turing Institute, the national institute for data science and AI. The funding is expected to double, amounting to £100 million over a five-year period.
Established in 2015 and named after the renowned computer scientist and mathematician Alan Turing, the institute will utilize the additional funding to drive advancements in data science and AI. The focus areas for research will include healthcare transformation, environmental protection, and bolstering defense and national security.
Treasury sources indicate that the investment will have tangible benefits for the public, such as improvements in healthcare services and addressing environmental challenges. Chancellor Hunt sees AI as a key driver for enhancing Britain’s productivity and economic growth, with the potential to contribute significantly to various sectors including medicine, aerospace, and climate change.
The chancellor’s ambition aligns with his vision to position Britain as a leading science superpower and emulate the success of Silicon Valley. Leveraging the UK’s unique strengths in AI, Hunt aims to stimulate economic growth and foster innovation across the country.
The UK currently ranks fourth in the world in terms of AI prowess, trailing behind the US, China, and Singapore. The Alan Turing Institute, with its focus on research collaboration and innovation, plays a crucial role in advancing AI capabilities in the UK. Some of its past projects include initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in the shipping industry, enhance health data analysis, and combat online abuse.
By investing in the Alan Turing Institute, the UK government aims to solidify the country’s position as a global leader in AI research and innovation, driving progress and addressing societal challenges on both national and international scales.
