First-ever AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation\u00a0(UKRI) marks bold plan to make AI deliver for UK\u2019s\u00a0cutting-edge\u00a0science and research efforts, supporting breakthroughs from health to clean energy and beyond<\/p>\n
AI ambitions for UK\u2019s largest public research funder backed by record \u00a31.6 billion,\u00a0directly targeted at\u00a0the AI sector between now and the end of the decade
\n From screening for cancer to harnessing clean energy,\u00a0research and innovation is critical to making AI work for good: a key theme of this year\u2019s AI Impact Summit<\/p>\n
AI will be put to work to transform\u00a0cutting-edge\u00a0research into innovations that\u00a0benefit\u00a0us all \u2013 from better healthcare and new public services to\u00a0cutting edge\u00a0products.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The UK\u2019s largest public research funder\u00a0UKRI\u00a0has set out its first-ever plan to put AI to work for\u00a0the nation\u2019s world-leading innovators today (Thursday 19 February)\u00a0– building\u00a0on\u00a0the UK\u2019s\u00a0historic\u00a0strengths in\u00a0fields\u00a0like computing\u00a0and agentic AI.\u00a0<\/p>\n
UKRI-backed work on AI is already making a difference across society and the economy \u2013 from the world-leading RADAR AI system that detects faults on the railway network in real time, to the\u00a0IXI Brain Atlas\u00a0which is supporting more than 40 clinical trials into degenerative diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s by helping to analyse brain scans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the recent Spending Review settlement, UKRI committed a record \u00a31.6 billion of funding directly targeted at the AI sector over the next 4 years, its biggest single investment area for 2026 to 2030.\u00a0This includes funding for specific activity that\u202fUKRI\u202fwill deliver on behalf of\u202f the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)\u202f\u2013 which is subject to change as delivery plans are finalised.\u00a0It also\u00a0sits alongside significant\u00a0additional\u00a0AI investment woven through the broader UKRI budget. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The new\u00a0strategy signals UKRI\u2019s intention to make major investments in mathematics, computer science and engineering research which underpin AI\u00a0expertise. World-class researchers and businesses across the UK will\u00a0also\u00a0benefit\u00a0from better access to the right tools,\u00a0training\u00a0and infrastructure to unlock new growth across\u00a0the UK. This will help bring\u00a0to life innovations that make people\u2019s lives better \u2013 a key theme of the India AI Impact Summit which continues this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who is leading the UK delegation at the India AI Impact Summit, said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
The UK is backing its pioneering AI leadership with more than \u00a31.6 billion in investment to make sure the best of British expertise develops the next wave of AI innovations. Together we are turning potential into progress and that\u2019s the ambition I am bringing to the AI Summit in India this week.<\/p>\n
From spotting cancers earlier to cutting backlogs in public services, new research into AI will be a game-changer, bringing the promise of tomorrow\u2019s technologies to the UK today.<\/p>\n
UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
The potential of combining our AI\u00a0expertise\u00a0with our peerless R&D community is a\u00a0game-changer.\u00a0This\u00a0plan will\u00a0harness\u00a0AI to\u00a0accelerate both the pace and possibility of scientific endeavour.<\/p>\n
We are already seeing AI change the game for\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0possible in fields\u00a0from health,\u00a0to energy, and beyond.\u00a0Boldly backing this technology is\u00a0how we push our Great British innovators to further\u00a0success, and\u00a0build a path to breakthroughs that boost our health,\u00a0wealth, and\u00a0wellbeing.<\/p>\n
The strategy\u00a0also\u00a0commits to expanding doctoral and fellowship routes co-designed with businesses.\u00a0It will\u00a0also\u00a0support recognised\u00a0career frameworks for research software engineers, data\u00a0scientists\u00a0and ethics specialists\u00a0\u2013 supporting the high-paying jobs of the future. \u00a0<\/p>\n
AI is one of the central growth sectors in the UK\u2019s industrial strategy. UKRI\u2019s plan will turn the UK\u2019s scientific excellence into economic advantage by supporting regional clusters, creating new\u00a0jobs\u00a0and backing technologies with high-growth potential.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professor Charlotte Deane, Senior Responsible Owner for the UKRI AI Programme and Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The UK has deep strengths in AI. From the country of Alan Turing and Ada Lovelace, we have a world-class tradition in mathematics and computer science. This strategy will turn that research excellence into national advantage.<\/p>\n
To do that, we must make bold choices in areas where the UK can genuinely lead the world. UKRI will play\u00a0a central role\u00a0in backing the full innovation pathway from fundamental research to prototypes to scale-up.<\/p>\n
By uniting universities, businesses, industry and government we can unlock the potential we have long had but have not yet fully mobilised.<\/p>\n
Areas of focus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Under the new strategic framework, investment will focus on 6 priority areas: \u00a0<\/p>\n
advancing technology development \u00a0
\n transforming research through AI \u00a0
\n developing AI skills and talent \u00a0
\n accelerating innovation for economic growth and societal benefit\u00a0
\n championing responsible and trustworthy AI\u00a0
\n building world-class AI data and infrastructure\u00a0<\/p>\n
Central to UKRI\u2019s plan is building a strong research and innovation community\u00a0which will support them with the skills they need to become the\u00a0AI leaders\u00a0of the future. \u00a0<\/p>\n
UKRI-backed AI research is already making a difference to everyday life, from the world\u2019s first system spotting railway faults before they cause delays to a tool detecting online harm to keep us safe. In healthcare, AI-powered brain imaging is helping to\u00a0identify\u00a0early signs of Alzheimer\u2019s and other neurodegenerative diseases. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Now UKRI is now putting its weight behind AI. Under the new strategy, it will help to deliver: \u00a0<\/p>\n
up to \u00a3137 million as part of DSIT\u2019s AI for Science Strategy<\/a> to back AI-enabled scientific discovery starting with drug discovery and new treatments\u00a0 Today\u2019s AI is built on decades of curiosity-driven research across mathematics, computer science,\u00a0neuroscience\u00a0and linguistics. \u00a0<\/p>\n The strategy will create an environment where discovery-led research continues to thrive. It will simplify programmes and remove barriers, supporting researchers through the journey from fundamental research to prototypes to scale-up. \u00a0<\/p>\n Notes to editors<\/p>\n The full UKRI AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework<\/a>.<\/p>\n The strategy builds on UKRI\u2019s 2021 \u201cTransforming our World with AI\u201d document<\/a> and responds to technological advances since the 2019\/20 UKRI AI review. \u00a0<\/p>\n The following investments referenced in this announcement were previously announced and will be delivered\u00a0through\u00a0UKRI\u2019s new strategy: AI for Science:\u00a0up to \u00a3137 million to back AI-enabled scientific discovery<\/a>, starting with drug discovery and new treatments. This investment was announced as part of DSIT\u2019s AI for Science Strategy in November 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u00a336 million to upgrade the University of Cambridge\u2019s \u201cDAWN\u201d supercomputer supporting breakthroughs in areas like healthcare and environmental modelling.\u00a0<\/p>\n