WIREDGOV

Lord Adonis yesterday welcomed the findings of a new review setting out how the UK could become a world-leader in the development of Artificial Intelligence technology, which could deliver significant benefits for the country’s infrastructure network.

The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission said he was particularly interested in the potential benefits of these technologies in improving the productivity of infrastructure, as well as reducing the costs of its construction, operation and maintenance. These were issues that the NIC was considering as part of its ongoing study into new technology and infrastructure.

The independent review was chaired by Professor Wendy Hall of Southampton University and Jermome Pesenti of Benevolent Tech, and makes 18 recommendations for Government on supporting businesses to develop AI innovations and unlock as much as £630 billion for the UK economy. Its recommendations include:

• increasing expertise through a new industry-funded Masters programme;
  • making the Alan Turing Institute a national institute for Artificial Intelligence, building on the success so far of UK-led research in this area; and
  • making more data available, particularly for publicly-funded research

Chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission Lord Adonis yesterday said:

“Britain already has a strong track record in researching and developing the latest in artificial intelligence – we must invest to stay ahead of the game.

“Today’s review paves the way for how this country can be a world-leader in this exciting field, helping talented people into careers in this area, and supporting businesses to develop new innovative ways of using the technology.

“We will also reflect on its findings as part of our own review of how new technology can help us develop and maintain the nation’s infrastructure.”

Notes to editors:

“Growing the Artificial Intelligence industry in the UK”, the review by Professor Wendy Hall and Jerome Pesenti, can be found here