Great Britain: launch of first national strategy dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Unveiled on 22 September, the UK’s national AI strategic plan aims to increase corporate use of this new technology, which has become essential in recent years. This ten-year plan includes the publication in 2022 of a white paper that will look at how the government intends to regulate AI. Consultations will also be launched on the topic. The government’s aim is to build confidence levels in AI technology among both employers and the general public. The plan also includes measures to train the talents of tomorrow in this field by way of initial and ongoing education. “Today we’re laying the foundations for the next ten years’ growth with a strategy to help us seize the potential of artificial intelligence and play a leading role in shaping the way the world governs it,” said Chris Philp, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Minister. The CBI employers’ confederation has welcomed the launch and Susannah Odell, head of digital policy at the CBI remarked that it was “crucial step” in keeping the UK at the forefront of the emerging technology that would also drive business investment across the economy, continuing, “From trade to climate, AI brings unprecedented opportunities for increased growth and productivity.”