Leading the Future Exclusive Report
Leading the Future: Developing the UK’s AI-ready Workforce Exclusive Report for UKAI Members UKAI invited businesses, third-sector organisations, academia and policymakers to join a roundtable discussion chaired by Matt Warman. The objective was to identify what the UK needs in order to remain globally competitive in the future. Large and small businesses set out their needs and requirements and shared some of the challenges they have faced in finding talent and developing the skills that they need to grow. A recurring theme was the importance of everyday AI literacy – this enables the workforce but also empowers consumers. Attendees shared a sense of urgency to avoid the UK being left behind and overtaken by countries that are investing in their children’s future. The first section of this report summarises the key topics discussed in the roundtable. Topics ranged from practical points around how to increase AI literacy and improve AI education in schools to broader societal concerns such as workforce displacement and addressing the digital divide. Attendees also covered the important role of leadership in building AI-ready workforces, and they looked at why public trust in AI is essential to increase adoption and productivity. The second section sets out some principles to build an AI-ready workforce. These include: broader, earlier, better, faster. The third section presents UKAI’s recommendations. These recommendations are informed by the roundtable and UKAI’s policies, reflecting the interests of its members across the AI sector in the UK. Recommendations include reiterating the importance of maths education, building more partnerships between businesses and schools, and how we can create regional areas of expertise to on-shore skills around the UK. Further recommendations included setting out industry standards that reflect the skills that businesses actually need. Alongside this, UKAI recommends developing an industry-led campaign to increase public understanding and trust in AI, increasing consumer and employee adoption.UKAI concludes that basic AI literacy is the essential catalyst for growth – not just for the AI sector but for productivity across the entire UK economy. The skills required are constantly evolving and are often very specific to industry sectors and individuals. This report sets out a starting position and an approach for a nationwide campaign to measure and improve AI literacy across the workforce. UKAI looks forward to working with our members and partners to further develop this campaign. UKAI members get access to regular industry reports and exclusive events in parliament. Interested in finding out more about membership? Get Started
UKAI Publishes Creative Industries Report
UKAI brought together representatives of the AI and creative industries for a roundtable discussion, chaired by Baroness Thangam Debbonaire. The proposed changes to the UK’s copyright law and their impact on the creative industries were top of the agenda.
Paris AI Summit Day One
Paris AI Summit Day One Cycling back from the Grand Palais, Paris’s streets were gridlocked thanks to road closures caused by the AI Summit. The disruption, attendees joked, was mimicking what’s to come with AI.But as Faculty’s Marc Warner told the Tony Blair Institute, ‘deals will be done here’ because the summit has, with a much wider remit than the Bletchley original, become the centre of AI hype and a genuine gathering point for the whole industry.What it hasn’t done, however, is covered the cracks in divergent international positions.Here are five questions people are asking themselves: Can Europe establish itself as the AI superpower it ought to be? Success stories such as Mistral are the exception, and will the major new investments announced here turn out to really be new money? Summit sources are briefing that who signs the final communique doesn’t matter, because of important announcements on monitoring the impact of AI via new observatories, and on commitments to open source. Is that just what they have to say with the US and the UK unlikely to sign it? Which is the biggest elephant in the room – the likelihood of AGI in 3-5 years, the impact of AI on energy use, or the challenges some maintain could come from AI destroying humanity? All of these are getting relatively little attention compared to expectations. With policymakers inevitably reacting rather than leading the AI revolution, what is the best course to try to take? Attracting investment and focusing on skills feels like the only option, but neither is likely to be sufficient for countries currently lagging. What’s the best way to encourage adoption? Literacy, identifying game-changing data sets and also working out how to reshape tasks so AI is most useful – all of these have interesting roles to play, but nobody has neat answers here in Paris. Tomorrow, JD Vance and other political leaders will make the weather – hopefully an improvement on the metaphorical and literal cold rain here so far.
Copyright and AI Webinar
Webinar on Copyright and AI The “Copyright & AI: What’s at Stake?” webinar explored the evolving challenges surrounding copyright law, artificial intelligence and the creative industries in the UK. Experts Thangam Debbonaire and Sir Robert Buckland KBE, KC discussed the immense economic and cultural importance of the UK’s creative sector, which contributes £125 billion to the economy and enhances the country’s global influence. However, a significant portion of the industry consists of self-employed creators and small businesses who lack the legal and financial resources to challenge global tech giants. The discussion emphasised that copyright law has long served as a fundamental tool to protect these creators, ensuring they are compensated when their work is used by others. A key focus of the webinar was whether current copyright law is equipped to handle AI and big tech developments. Traditionally, UK copyright law has operated on an “opt-in” model, meaning that copyrighted content cannot be used without explicit permission. However, proposed government changes would shift this to an “opt-out” system, raising concerns about whether this disadvantages UK creators. Questions were also raised about enforcement, how can copyright law be meaningful if violations occur undetected There was also debate about whether aligning with the EU AI Act could strengthen protections, as the EU is expected to take a firmer stance on AI companies using copyrighted materials without authorisation. The discussion also addressed broader legal and policy considerations, including whether copyright law should be the primary tool for regulating big tech or whether other legal frameworks might be more effective. Comparisons were drawn to international approaches, with uncertainty around how the US will regulate AI and copyright, while the EU appears to be moving toward stricter enforcement. The UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan suggested alignment with the EU on copyright, but concerns remain about whether this would bias the outcome of ongoing policy consultations. Watch Full Recording Highlight Videos https://youtu.be/oaEQbNN9JTwhttps://youtu.be/u66gWsLwAzshttps://youtu.be/Kv_WAMe1dxw
UKAI on the BBC talking about Government’s new AI powered tool, Humphrey
UKAI Commenting on New Government AI Tools Called ‘Humphrey’ UKAI were approached to comment on the Government’s new AI tools called ‘Humphrey’. Our CEO, Tim Flagg, welcomed the new AI tools but questioned whether the name ‘Humphrey’ conveyed the right sentiment. Read the Article
Leading the Future: Roundtable 20th of January
Leading the Future: Parliamentary Roundtable – Monday 20th of January The “Leading the Future: Developing the UK’s AI-Ready Workforce” roundtable, hosted by UKAI and Bradley Thomas MP at the House of Commons, brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for equipping the UK workforce with the right AI skills. The event focused on closing the digital divide, integrating AI literacy into education, fostering industry-led training and supporting workforce transitions. Participants from business, academia and the third sector explored how AI can be embedded into early education, lifelong learning and workplace training to ensure both technical and non-technical workers are prepared for an AI-driven future. Additionally, discussions addressed the importance of balancing skills development with ethical AI use, fair work practices and ensuring regional and gender inclusivity in AI talent development. Key themes from the roundtable included the importance of industry involvement in training, the need for flexible qualification frameworks and the challenge of attracting global AI talent while ensuring opportunities for UK workers. Participants debated the role of AI in reshaping jobs, strategies for reskilling displaced workers and policies to support equitable access to AI training across different regions and demographics. There was also strong interest in improving public understanding of AI and ensuring the UK remains globally competitive through workforce development strategies. This event served as a critical step in shaping practical policies and partnerships to build a future-ready, AI-literate workforce. The full report will be shared with members and the Government.
UKAI Quoted on the BBC
UKAI Quoted on the BBC Commenting on the AI Action Plan UKAI’s CEO was quoted by the BBC. Tim Flagg welcomed the Action Plan, but highlighted that it was very narrow in scope and pointed out that the AI sector is made up of many different types of business beyond just tech-businesses. Read the Article
How do we evaluate the AI Opportunities Action Plan?
How do we evaluate the AI Opportunities Action Plan? The UK Government has announced that the AI Opportunities Action Plan is coming, and when it arrives I am sure that there will be a lot of opinions on whether it is good, or bad and on what it misses, and hopefully what it gets right. Over the last few months UKAI has been talking to members, businesses across the UK in the AI sector, to understand what they care about most. These have been distilled down into 5 Policy Pillars. UKAI can now measure the Action Plan against these 5 Policy Pillars in our Evaluation Scorecard. This gives us a way to quantify the plan, comparing it with previous and future policies, and measuring how effective it is at supporting UK businesses in the AI Sector. We’re confident that there will be a lot of great actionable ideas. Our optimism is because the plan was authored by Matt Clifford, a successful, well known and well connected entrepreneur. Clifford understands the realities of running businesses. In addition, Clifford and the department have spoken to many businesses across the AI sector. UKAI was formed to provide a voice into the Government for the AI sector and to help the Government implement its AI policies and plans, so for us the Action Plan is fundamental. It should be the linchpin that brings Government and Businesses together with Academia and Investors in a plan that can not only drive economic growth but also social progress, across communities across the UK. We hope our optimism will not be misplaced. We are here to support the Government, through our membership, to deliver this plan but we will also highlight any areas where our members feel the plan falls short. Watch this space.
UK AI News in December 2024 Major Themes
Major Themes in AI News in the UK, in December 2024 We’ve analysed all of the major news stories in December 2024. You can find a list with links of the major stories, government announcements, research reports and more on this page. Here are some of the main themes. 1. Regulation and Governance The UK is actively shaping AI regulation with proposals to enhance transparency in AI training and balancing copyright protections. Consultations and amendments to data and copyright laws aim to align AI growth with creative industry needs. Calls for banning fully automated decision-making and enhancing ethical AI frameworks. Investment criteria and strategic oversight for government AI initiatives are being developed. 2. AI in Public Services and Infrastructure AI’s role in modernizing public services, including NHS trials for type 2 diabetes detection and benefits fraud detection, highlights its potential. Investment in data centers and AI-specific infrastructure underlines readiness for AI-driven services. 3. Economic and Strategic Development AI is positioned as a driver of the UK economy, with initiatives to ensure the country’s leadership in AI readiness and implementation. Efforts include AI hubs like the London AI Campus and partnerships for transforming AI models for sustainability. AI is a pivotal factor in clean energy transitions and climate tech investments. 4. Ethical and Social Concerns Concerns around AI’s impact on decision-making, privacy, and potential biases in systems used for public welfare, such as benefits fraud detection. Issues related to the exclusion of marginalized groups, like blind individuals, from the benefits of AI. Criticism of AI’s management in institutions like the Alan Turing Institute, and broader diversity challenges. 5. Creative and Cultural Industries Resistance from arts and media sectors to proposed copyright relaxations for AI model training. Studies exploring AI’s potential while safeguarding the creative industry’s integrity. 6. AI’s Role in Education and Accessibility AI is viewed as transformative for students with disabilities, although schools are adapting to leverage its full potential. The need for guidelines to optimize AI use in education while mitigating risks is emphasized. 7. International Collaboration and Leadership Partnerships, such as with Qatar, aim to enhance global AI collaboration. The UK is positioning AI as a tool for international peace and security. 8. Ethics, Risk, and Future Concerns Concerns about AI’s manipulation of decision-making and its long-term risks, with some experts warning of existential threats. Debates on balancing AI innovation with ethical oversight remain central. 9. Health and Environmental Applications Innovations like AI detecting heart conditions and identifying river hazards illustrate AI’s expanding role in healthcare and environmental safety. 10. Public Sentiment and Awareness Surveys indicate public attitudes toward AI and data, reflecting a mix of support and concern for its implications. 1. Regulation and Governance 2. AI in Public Services and Infrastructure 3. Economic and Strategic Development 4. Ethical and Social Concerns 5. Creative and Cultural Industries 6. AI’s Role in Education and Accessibility 7. International Collaboration and Leadership 8. Ethics, Risk, and Future Concerns 9. Health and Environmental Applications 10. Public Sentiment and Awareness
Unlocking the UK’s Economic Potential with AI: A Blueprint for Growth
Unlocking the UK’s Economic Potential with AI: A Blueprint for Growth http://ukai.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GDP-Promo.mp4 This report, sets out a strategic vision for leveraging artificial intelligence as a transformative engine of economic growth. Highlighting the UK’s competitive edge as a global AI leader, the analysis presents a roadmap of nine actionable levers, from bolstering deep tech investment and reducing energy costs to fostering high-growth segments like fintech and biotech. The report emphasises AI’s potential to generate trillions in value, supercharge productivity and close the economic gap with global competitors. Download it now to discover how your organisation can be part of this transformative journey. Discover how AI can add £1 trillion to the UK economy by 2030, kick-starting an advanced manufacturing revolution, transforming industries and driving unparalleled growth. Learn actionable strategies to position your business at the forefront of the AI revolution and outpace global competition. Unlock exclusive insights on high-growth markets, investment opportunities and practical ways to attract and retain top global talent to the UK.
