First-ever AI Strategy for UKRI marks bold plan to make AI deliver for UK’s cutting-edge science and research efforts

Thursday 26 Feb 2026 @ 16:25
techUK

UK Research and Innovation has published its first AI Strategy, setting out a long-term plan backed by £1.6 billion to strengthen the UK’s AI research, skills and infrastructure. The framework outlines six priority areas aimed at advancing technology development, supporting responsible AI and translating scientific excellence into economic and societal benefit.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has set out its first-ever AI Strategy backed by £1.6 billion for the AI sector between now and the end of the decade. This will build on the UK’s strengths in computing and agentic AI to support breakthroughs in healthcare, energy, public services and beyond making AI work for good.

Investment under this new strategy will focus on 6 priority areas:

Advancing technology development
Transforming research through AI
Developing AI skills and talent
Accelerating innovation for economic growth and societal benefit
Championing responsible and trustworthy AI
Building world-class AI data and infrastructure

This strategy demonstrates UKRI’s intention invest in mathematics, computer science and engineering research. This is what underpins AI expertise and will turn the UK’s scientific and research excellence into economic advantage by supporting regional clusters, creating new jobs and backing technologies with high-growth potential.

Read the full UKRI AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework here.

Click here for the full press release

Channel website: http://www.techuk.org/

Original article link: https://www.techuk.org/resource/first-ever-ai-strategy-for-ukri-marks-bold-plan-to-make-ai-deliver-for-uk-s-cutting-edge-science-and-research-efforts.html

Share this article

Latest News from
techUK

Government Smart Data Strategy Published

02/04/2026 17:20:00

Last week, DBT published their Smart Data Strategy, ‘Smart Data 2035’, outlining their long-term vision to embed Smart Data schemes across the UK economy.

Reflections from CSW70: Strengthening access to justice for women and girls

02/04/2026 15:05:00

This year’s Commission focused on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including addressing discriminatory laws, unequal legal systems and the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s rights.

Government Commercial Agency RM6377 Network Services 4 - Specification Engagement

02/04/2026 14:05:00

The Government Commercial Agency (formerly CCS) are excited to share an opportunity for Suppliers and Contracting Authorities to provide feedback on their upcoming procurement, "Network Services 4". This agreement will be a replacement to the existing "Network Services 3" agreement due to expire in July 2027.

Sustainability dashboard: Shine a light on your digital carbon footprint

31/03/2026 16:25:00

Guest blog by Eoghan Kelly, Senior Sustainability Specialist at Fastly, 30 March 2026.

Join techUK’s Women in Tech Group

31/03/2026 15:05:00

The UK tech sector continues to face a structural challenge: how to attract, retain and progress more women across the workforce. For most businesses, this is no longer just a diversity issue, it’s a competitiveness and growth issue.

Government announces initial LGR decisions – An opportunity to unlock digital transformation

31/03/2026 11:25:00

The government announced its LGR decisions in four of the devolution fast track areas, opting for between three and five councils in each area.

WTO MC14 Falls Short for Digital Trade, but E-Commerce Agreement Advances

30/03/2026 15:05:00

The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé has concluded without agreement on one of the most critical pillars of the global digital economy, underlining the challenges facing the multilateral trading system.

Innovate UK announces new strategy to back the UK’s most promising deep tech businesses

30/03/2026 12:15:00

Innovate UK will become more deliberate about what technologies, sectors and businesses they support under a new strategy that is designed to address the challenge of transforming world-class research and early-stage innovation in the UK into globally competitive businesses.

In conversation with Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic

27/03/2026 16:25:00

At techUK’s 2026 Tech Policy Conference, we were delighted to welcome Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP.

WIREDGOV