UKAI’s Framework for Evaluating AI Policies That Drive Economic Growth and Social Progress

In the UK, the potential for AI to drive economic growth and social progress is vast. UKAI believes that the UK should be a world leader in AI. However, realising this potential requires a carefully crafted, balanced approach to policy-making. Businesses and Government must work in partnership to harness this potential, delivering economic growth and social progress. To achieve this, UKAI has established a structured framework for evaluating government initiatives against ten critical policy areas, organised under five overarching pillars. 

UKAI’s Policy Pillars

At the heart of UKAI’s evaluation framework are five foundational pillars:

1. Skills
2. Economy
3. Regulation
4. Innovation
5. Society

Each pillar contains distinct policy areas that together provide a holistic view of the AI ecosystem:

• Skills: Skills & Training
• Economy: Regional Development and Global Opportunities
• Regulation: Regulation & Ethics and Data Governance; Security & Privacy
• Innovation: Frontier AI; Investment & Funding
• Society: Citizens First; Sustainability & Responsibility; Public Awareness & Engagement

These areas reflect the interconnected challenges and opportunities that any successful plan must address in order to enable AI businesses in the UK to flourish. 

How UKAI Evaluates Government Policies

UKAI’s approach to policy evaluation involves three key stages:

1. Gathering Feedback from Members

UKAI collaborates with its diverse network of members, which includes industry leaders, investors, academics, policymakers and civil society representatives. These stakeholders provide critical insights into how government initiatives align with the ten policy areas. This feedback ensures that UKAI’s evaluations are grounded in real-world experiences and challenges.

2. Scoring Initiatives Against Policy Areas

Each government initiative is systematically assessed across the ten policy areas. For example, a proposed strategy might be evaluated on how effectively it addresses the need for AI-related skills training or whether it supports ethical AI practices. Initiatives are scored 1-5 on their potential impact, feasibility and alignment with the needs of UK businesses in the AI sector.

3. Feeding Results Back to Government

UKAI compiles the results and includes these results as ‘Scoreboards’ that can easily and quickly be understood and shared alongside more in-depth analysis, reports and recommendations.This feedback highlights strengths and areas for improvement, offering a clear roadmap for refining strategies like the AI Opportunities Action Plan.

Application to the AI Opportunities Action Plan

The forthcoming AI Opportunities Action Plan represents a significant step in the UK’s AI journey. UKAI’s evaluation framework enables businesses in the AI sector to be involved in evaluating and feeding back on this Action Plan:

Skills and Training

The Action Plan must prioritise developing a robust AI workforce. UKAI’s evaluations will assess how effectively the plan addresses skills gaps, supports lifelong learning and promotes diversity in the AI talent pool.

Regional Development

To ensure that the benefits of AI are felt nationwide, the plan should include initiatives that support AI hubs in underrepresented regions. UKAI will evaluate whether the plan provides resources and infrastructure to promote regional innovation.

Ethical AI and Data Governance

With public trust in AI technologies hinging on transparency and accountability, the Action Plan must include robust guidelines for ethical AI development. UKAI’s assessments will focus on the comprehensiveness of these measures and their potential to mitigate risks.

Frontier AI and Investment

The UK’s leadership in AI depends on its ability to support groundbreaking research and attract funding. UKAI will evaluate the plan’s effectiveness in fostering frontier AI and creating a conducive environment for investment.

Public Awareness and Sustainability

Public engagement is critical for the success of AI policies. UKAI will assess whether the plan includes initiatives to raise awareness about AI’s benefits and challenges while ensuring that AI contributes to sustainability goals.

Building a Collaborative Ecosystem

UKAI’s approach underscores the importance of collaboration. By involving a diverse range of stakeholders in its evaluations, UKAI fosters a shared vision for AI development in the UK. This collaborative ecosystem ensures that government strategies are not only innovative but also inclusive and aligned with societal needs.

The UK’s ambition to lead in AI requires policies that are comprehensive, forward-thinking and grounded in real-world needs.

UKAI’s evaluation framework, with its focus on ten critical policy areas, provides a robust mechanism for shaping such policies. By ensuring that government initiatives like the AI Opportunities Action Plan consider all aspects of the AI ecosystem, UKAI is helping to lay the foundation for sustainable growth, innovation and social progress. Through this approach, the UK can realise its vision of becoming a global leader in AI, driving economic growth and improving the lives of its citizens.