A range of tech industry figures have taken part in an inaugural startup board meeting following prime minister Rishi Sunak’s stated intent to make the UK a science and technology superpower by 2030.

The department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) startup board’s non-executive board members include former astronaut Tim Peake and McLaren founder Ron Dennis.

The group will meet intermittently to discuss how best to shape future UK government policy around various tech areas.

The government’s regulatory policy around AI was high on the agenda of the board’s first meeting after prominent figures such as EU tech chief Margrethe Vestager recently called for a voluntary code of conduct around AI development and United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres indicated his support for a global AI watchdog.

The group also discussed how DSIT could become an innovative department in government and best support the UK tech industry, as well as how it could improve the impact it has on the general public and the science and technology ecosystems in the UK.

The board meeting follows Rishi Sunak’s speech at London Tech Week in which he threw his support behind the UK’s development as a tech centre.

“If we want not only to retain our position as one of the world’s tech capitals, but to go even further and make this the best country in the world to start, grow and invest in tech businesses,” Sunak said.

Also speaking at the event, Labour leader Kier Starmer highlighted concerns around the rise of AI and how it could lead to greater inequality.

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