The AI Council has published its AI Roadmap report, setting out ambitions for all UK government departments, with the aim of cementing the UK as one of the best places in the world to develop AI.
The roadmap focuses on four pillars: 1. Research, Development & Innovation; 2. Skills and Diversity, and 3. Data, Infrastructure and 4. Public Trust and National, Cross-sector Adoption.
Of course, this isn't the first AI report of its type. What is refreshing about this report is that it explicitly isn't attempting to be the instruction manual on how the UK should "do" AI. Taking a long-term outlook, the authors acknowledge the recommendations made can't all be acted upon at once.
With that in mind, it recommends the formation of a National AI Strategy. The UK is well placed to be a leader in the AI space, when you consider the current levels of investment, ability to set the rules and norms for transformative technology that the world can follow, and with the imperative of addressing the challenges that face us as a society, from health inequity to climate change. A national strategy bringing these various strands together would be extremely welcome.
What is also refreshing is the report's recognition of the role of the public sector in AI development. After all, the state is one of the largest purchasers and users of technology, and sets policies and approaches that lead other sectors. By recommending robust public investment in AI, and corralling the right experts to lead on AI governance, it is positive to see the public sector put firmly at the centre of a wider AI strategy.