British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday launched a new framework through his newly created ministry – the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology – as part of a vision to strengthen the UK’s position as a science and technology superpower by 2030. The British Indian leader said the new Science and Technology Framework is designed to challenge every part of government to better place the UK at the forefront of global science and technology this decade through 10 key actions, enabling a coordinated, cross-government approach.
Downing Street said the framework will work alongside a range of new measures, backed by more than £370 million in funding to boost investment in innovation, bring the world’s best talent to the UK and unlock the potential of breakthrough new technologies such as artificial intelligence. to use. (KI). “Breakfast science and innovation have been in our DNA for decades. But in an increasingly competitive world, we can only stay ahead with focus, dynamism and leadership,” said Sunak.
“That’s why we’re setting out 10 key actions in a bold new plan to strengthen our position as a global science and technology superpower by 2030 – from pursuing transformational technologies like AI and supercomputing to attracting top talent and ensuring they have the tools they need. The more we innovate, the more we can grow our economy, create the high-paying jobs of the future, protect our security and improve lives across the country,” he said.
Delivery of the new framework will begin immediately with a first wave of projects, estimated to be worth around £500 million in new and existing skills and infrastructure funding to help the UK become a world leader in “breakthrough technologies”.
“Innovation and technology are our future. They hold the keys to everything from increasing productivity and wages to transforming healthcare, lowering energy prices and ultimately creating jobs and economic growth in the UK, enabling us to getting the financial firepower that will enable us to spend more on public services,” said Michelle Donelan, the new UK Secretary for Science, Innovation and Technology.
“That is why today we are putting the full power of the UK Government and our private sector partners behind our drive to become a science and technology superpower, because only by being world leaders in future industries such as AI and quantum will we be able to to improve the lives of every Briton,” she said.
The UK government said the framework was designed in consultation with industry experts and academics to help ensure stronger growth, better jobs and bold discoveries. It includes investments of GBP 250 million in three “truly transformational” technologies in AI, quantum technologies and engineering biology to tackle the biggest global challenges such as climate change and healthcare.
Up to GBP 50 million has also been earmarked to encourage co-investment in science by the private sector and philanthropists to drive the discoveries of the future and GBP 117 million in existing funding to create hundreds of new PhDs for AI researchers and 8 million GBP to find the next generation of AI leaders around the world to do their research in the UK.
The UK government also announced a further extension until 30 June of the financial guarantee provided to UK Horizon Europe applicants as part of its scientific collaboration with the EU.
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