Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which sectors have been prioritised for support under the AI adoption programme.

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK is the fastest adopter of AI in the G7. To achieve this, the Government appointed AI Champions in the growth-driving Industrial Strategy sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Creative Industries, Digital & Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional & Business Services.

The AI Champions published sector-led AI Adoption Plans on 8 June at the AI Adoption Summit, which was hosted by the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology. The plans were informed by extensive engagement with businesses, workers, trade unions and trade bodies. Their recommendations are designed to drive pro-worker AI adoption across industries, including via real-world pilots, industry testbeds, and peer networks so businesses can learn from each other and adopt AI with confidence.

The Government also set out its interim response to the AI Champions’ AI Adoption Plans on 8 June. This includes a commitment to ringfence £200m in funding to support the delivery of leading proposals from the plans and to expand InnovateUK’s BridgeAI programme across the Industrial Strategy sectors.