The UK government is being urged to boost the UK’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry, a move which could unlock £630 billion for the UK economy.

An independent industry-led review has set out a number of proposals for how industry and government can boost the UK’s AI industry in order to boost productivity, advance health care, improve services for customers and unlock billions of pounds for the UK economy.

The review, ‘Growing the Artificial Intelligence Industry in the UK’, was announced as part of a digital strategy in March, and led by Dame Wendy Hall, professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, and Jérôme Pesenti, chief executive of BenevolentTech.

The reviewers were asked to report on how this pioneering technology can best thrive and grow in the UK. They looked at a variety of sectors including health, banking, education, legal services and the motor industry.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “I want the UK to lead the way in artificial intelligence. It has the potential to improve our everyday lives - from healthcare to robots that perform dangerous tasks.

“We already have some of the best minds in the world working on artificial intelligence, and the challenge now is to build a strong partnership with industry and academia to cement our position as the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business.”

Business Secretary Greg Clark, added: “Artificial intelligence presents us with a unique opportunity to build on our strengths and track record of research excellence by leading the development and deployment of this transformational technology.

“This important review exemplifies the world-class expertise the UK already has in AI, demonstrating the huge social and economic benefits its use can bring.”

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