The UK government has committed £2bn to fund its AI action plan, chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed today (June 11).
The government’s spending review sets budgets for all government departments for the coming four years.
The AI action plan was first introduced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January, when the government announced plans to mainline “AI into the veins” of the UK and throw “the full weight of Whitehall behind this industry”.
The plan involves adopting all 50 recommendations set out by Matt Clifford, entrepreneur and co-founder of talent investor Entrepreneur First in his AI Opportunities Action Plan. These measures include improving data capabilities and access, developing AI talent, reforming regulation and driving adoption in both public and private sectors.
The government estimates through adopting the plan the UK’s economy could grow by an additional £400bn by 2030.
Creative industries have expressed concern of the government’s attitude towards AI. The government’s Data (Use and Access) Bill is being debated in the UK parliament’s upper house, the House of Lords. The government wants to allow tech companies to use copyrighted material to train their models, while the Lords alongside the creative industries are looking for more protections for artists from AI.
The BFI, earlier this week, outlined its nine recommendations for the UK screen sector in the face of rapidly evolving AI technology, developing a robust licensing framework to address copyright concerns surrounding generative AI; future-proofing the creative workforce with more formal AI training; providing transparent disclosures to audiences when AI has been used in screen content; offering targeted financial support for the UK’s creative technology sector; and investing in accessible tools, training, and funding for independent creators, through the development of ethical AI products.
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