Budget Boost for AI in the UK

Mr Hammond told MPs the money was to “keep the UK at the forefront of disruptive technologies like biotech, robotic systems and driverless vehicles”. In November’s autumn statement, he announced £390m for the development of electric and autonomous cars. Of this, £100m will go to new testing sites for self-driving vehicles, on top of the £100m previously announced for trial areas by George Osborne. 

The announcement of the first tranche of challenges to be supported by the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) and additional support for high skilled research talent has been welcomed by the UK’s Research and Innovation leaders.

Professor Philip Nelson, Chair of Research Councils UK said: “The Chancellor’s announcements are most welcome. Long-term funding for research and developing high-skilled research talent is vital to the UK’s future as a science power, allowing us to continue feeding the pipeline that transforms research into products and services. The UK is at the fore in many aspects of these fields, but countries across the globe are putting effort and resource in too, so these investments are strategically significant.”

Investment initiatives will include:

• Leading the world in the development, design and manufacture of batteries that will power the next generation of electric vehicles, helping to tackle air pollution.
• Developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence and robotics systems that will operate in extreme and hazardous environments, including off-shore energy, nuclear energy, space and deep mining
• Accelerating patient access to new drugs and treatments through developing brand new medicine manufacturing technologies, helping to improve public health

The Budget also announced an investment of £250 million over the next four years to continue to build the pipeline of high-skilled research talent necessary for a growing and innovative economy:

• £90 million will provide an additional 1,000 PhD places in areas aligned with the Industrial Strategy. Around 85% will be in STEM disciplines, and 40% will directly help strengthen collaboration between business and academia through industrial partnerships.
• A further £160 million will support new fellowships for early and mid-career researchers in areas aligned to the Industrial Strategy.