The UK has set out a bold new vision to harness artificial intelligence as a driving force behind world-leading science, research and innovation — from earlier

cancer detection to smarter public services and cleaner energy.

At the heart of the plan is the first-ever AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation, unveiled today by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The strategy aims to ensure AI delivers real-world impact by strengthening the foundations of research, accelerating innovation, and turning scientific excellence into economic growth.

Backed by a record £1.6 billion investment, the strategy represents UKRI’s largest ever commitment to a single technology area. The funding, earmarked for the period from 2026 to 2030, will be directly targeted at the AI sector and will sit alongside further AI-related investment embedded across UKRI’s wider research budget.

Turning AI potential into public good

AI is already transforming UK-funded research, with tangible benefits across society. UKRI-backed projects include the RADAR system, which uses AI to detect faults on the rail network in real time, improving safety and reliability, and the IXI Brain Atlas, a globally recognised resource supporting more than 40 clinical trials into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s by enabling advanced analysis of brain scans.

The new strategy builds on this momentum, committing to deeper investment in the core disciplines that underpin AI — including mathematics, computer science and engineering. These foundations are seen as critical to maintaining the UK’s global leadership in advanced and agentic AI.

Skills, infrastructure and high-value jobs

A central pillar of the plan is people. UKRI will expand doctoral training and fellowship routes co-designed with industry, while supporting clearer career pathways for research software engineers, data scientists and AI ethics specialists. The aim is not only to grow expertise but also to support high-skilled, high-paying jobs across the country.

Researchers and businesses will also gain improved access to cutting-edge AI tools, training and infrastructure, helping unlock innovation in sectors ranging from healthcare to clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

Driving growth across the UK

AI is a cornerstone of the UK’s industrial strategy, and UKRI’s approach is designed to convert scientific leadership into economic advantage. By supporting regional innovation clusters, backing high-growth technologies and strengthening links between academia and industry, the strategy seeks to spread opportunity across the UK while reinforcing its position as a global science superpower.

Part of the £1.6 billion investment includes funding that UKRI will deliver on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), subject to final delivery plans.

As the UK looks to the future, the message from UKRI is clear: AI, responsibly developed and strategically deployed, can be a powerful force for better health, smarter services and sustainable economic growth — keeping the UK at the forefront of global research and innovation.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who is leading the UK delegation at the India AI Impact Summit, said:  “The UK is backing its pioneering AI leadership with more than £1.6 billion in investment to make sure the best of British expertise develops the next wave of AI innovations. Together we are turning potential into progress and that’s the ambition I am bringing to the AI Summit in India this week.

From spotting cancers earlier to cutting backlogs in public services, new research into AI will be a game-changer, bringing the promise of tomorrow’s technologies to the UK today”.

UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said:  “The potential of combining our AI expertise with our peerless R&D community is a game-changer. This plan will harness AI to accelerate both the pace and possibility of scientific endeavour.

We are already seeing AI change the game for what’s possible in fields from health, to energy, and beyond. Boldly backing this technology is how we push our Great British innovators to further success, and build a path to breakthroughs that boost our health, wealth, and wellbeing”.

Professor Charlotte Deane, Senior Responsible Owner for the UKRI AI Programme and Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said:   “The UK has deep strengths in AI. From the country of Alan Turing and Ada Lovelace, we have a world-class tradition in mathematics and computer science. This strategy will turn that research excellence into national advantage.

To do that, we must make bold choices in areas where the UK can genuinely lead the world. UKRI will play a central role in backing the full innovation pathway from fundamental research to prototypes to scale-up.

By uniting universities, businesses, industry and government we can unlock the potential we have long had but have not yet fully mobilized”. Photo by mikemacmarketing, Wikimedia commons.