The next government must update the UK’s AI strategy to deliver incentives for capital investment, according to trade association techUK.
The industry group said that updating the strategy could diffuse AI across the economy and reduce infrastructure costs.
The recommendation comes as part of techUK’s seven policy suggestions to support the tech industry ahead of the next general election.
According to a survey of 253 business leaders conducted by techUK, AI is seen as the most significant new technology for organisations. However, it can only meet expectations if there is appropriate infrastructure.
Developing AI infrastructure has been highlighted as a key step for the government in fulfilling its AI superpower ambition.
To encourage this, techUK suggested classifying strategic digital infrastructure as “nationally significant” and expanding R&D tax incentives to spur investment in this area.
Recent strategic investments into UK AI data centres include Microsoft, Google and Deutsche Bank.
Other policy recommendations from techUK included digitising public services, offering digital skills initiatives, launching an online safety sandbox, creating a regulatory model to encourage innovation, supporting the scaling of tech companies in the UK and adopting a new approach to trade via “tech bridges”.
“The UK has strong foundations to build on, with a very competitive business environment for tech. But to achieve the economic growth which the whole economy needs, we must keep raising the ambition,” said techUK CEO Julian David.
“By removing unnecessary barriers to innovation and putting in place the reforms and investment needed, we can bolster our innovation ecosystem right across the UK, supporting a stronger economy and better public services.”
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