In response to the Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan published today, Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“The Academy welcomes the publication of the AI Opportunities Action Plan as a key step to ensure the UK can seize the opportunities associated with the responsible development and adoption of AI across the public and business sectors alike.
We welcome the expansion of the UK’s public AI compute provision and the creation of the National Data Library, these are significant additions to the UK’s research and innovation infrastructure. Efforts should be made to ensure these serve the needs of the UK AI SME community and deliver value to the UK public.
The creation of the AI Energy Council is an important partnership for addressing the immediate clean energy challenge. This also presents a critical opportunity to balance the supply and demand for energy and compute and drive UK leadership in sustainable AI.
Increasing the availability of leading AI talent in the UK, while feeding the future skills pipeline is critical for AI development. This must be accompanied by increasing the digital skills across the workforce for AI adoption to realise the opportunities of AI.
The Academy stands ready to mobilise our extraordinary community, regional network, fellows, business, and awardees covering all aspects of engineering to help and support this national mission so that everyone benefits. As we drive AI adoption across government, it is vital that departments collaborate with industry of all sizes and the people who will be affected, to ensure positive social, economic and environmental benefits are realised for all citizens rapidly but with a long-term view.”
Notes for editors
- The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone.
In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public.
Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.