Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need to research new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies; and whether they intend to invest in universities to encourage more AI research.

The Government actively supports AI research through a range of research programmes, infrastructure investments, and skills and talent initiatives. The UK’s publicly funded portfolio of AI R&D investments is worth £1 billion, including investments in centres for doctoral training, the Alan Turing Institute, Bridge AI, Responsible AI UK, and the AI hubs.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan includes several new initiatives, including expanding the Turing AI Fellowships offer and acting immediately to double the capacity of the AI Research Resource (AIRR). Furthermore, we are opening AIRR access to a wider pool of researchers to drive forward new AI-enabled innovations.