🇬🇧 United Kingdom's National AI Strategy

The UK's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy has progressively evolved over the past decade, reflecting the government’s vision of becoming a global AI leader. This timeline charts key moments in the development of the UK’s AI strategy, focusing on official documents and policy decisions made public each year from 2024 back to 2014.

2024: Expansion of AI Governance and National AI Capabilities

• Event: The UK government in 2024 continues expanding its focus on AI governance, ethics, and the development of safe AI systems. Following the 2023 establishment of the UK AI Safety Institute, the year sees an emphasis on AI risk management in various sectors, particularly healthcare, defense, and sustainability. The UK's investment in AI research infrastructure increases, focusing on large-scale AI applications.
• Document/Link: Pending release.

2023: Creation of the UK AI Safety Institute

• Event: A significant year marked by the establishment of the UK AI Safety Institute, designed to lead research on managing risks associated with advanced AI systems and frontier risks. The institute aims to ensure that AI technologies are developed safely and responsibly, placing the UK at the forefront of AI governance.
• Document/Link: UK AI Safety Institute Announcement (2023).

2022: AI Regulation and White Paper on AI Governance

• Event: The government releases a highly anticipated White Paper on AI Governance, outlining a framework for regulating AI technologies and balancing innovation with ethical considerations. It places an emphasis on sector-specific AI regulations, addressing risks and promoting responsible AI development.
• Document/Link: AI Regulation White Paper (2022).

2021: Launch of the UK’s National AI Strategy

• Event: The UK government formally unveils its National AI Strategy in September 2021. This three-pronged strategy is designed to strengthen the UK's position as a global AI leader. It focuses on (1) investing in AI research and development, (2) establishing a pro-innovation regulatory framework, and (3) ensuring that AI benefits the whole of society by enhancing skills, education, and infrastructure.
• Document/Link: UK National AI Strategy (2021).

2020: AI in Healthcare and the COVID-19 Response

• Event: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, AI becomes an integral part of the UK government’s healthcare strategy. The NHS partners with AI companies to leverage data-driven insights for tracking the spread of the virus and optimizing healthcare resources. AI is used to support the delivery of medical services remotely and to develop pandemic mitigation strategies.
• Document/Link: AI and COVID-19 Response (2020).

2019: AI Sector Deal 2.0

• Event: Following the success of the initial AI Sector Deal in 2018, the government announces the AI Sector Deal 2.0. This strategy builds upon existing investments and partnerships, with a focus on increasing AI adoption in industries such as energy, healthcare, and transport. The deal also emphasizes global collaboration and UK leadership in ethical AI development.
• Document/Link: AI Sector Deal 2.0 (2019).

2018: The AI Sector Deal

• Event: The government launches the AI Sector Deal, part of the broader Industrial Strategy, with £1 billion in funding from government and industry to boost AI development in the UK. The sector deal outlines a roadmap to develop a world-leading AI industry, focusing on building AI skills, improving data access, and enhancing the UK’s AI research ecosystem.
• Document/Link: AI Sector Deal (2018).

2017: House of Lords AI Report

• Event: The House of Lords publishes an influential report on the societal, ethical, and economic implications of AI. The report emphasizes the need for the UK to establish clear ethical guidelines and governance frameworks to shape the future of AI, urging the government to take a proactive role in AI development.
• Document/Link: House of Lords AI Report (2017).

2016: Alan Turing Institute Becomes the UK’s National AI Research Center

• Event: The Alan Turing Institute, established in 2015 as the UK’s national data science institute, expands its remit to become the leading AI research center in the UK. It begins playing a central role in coordinating AI research, working with academic institutions, industry, and government to push the boundaries of AI innovation.
• Document/Link: Alan Turing Institute AI Research (2016).

2015: Establishment of the Alan Turing Institute

• Event: The UK establishes the Alan Turing Institute, tasked with leading data science and AI research. This move signals the government's early recognition of the strategic importance of AI and the need for a dedicated research body to drive UK leadership in AI technologies.
• Document/Link: Establishment of Alan Turing Institute (2015).

2014: Government Launches AI Growth and Research Strategy

• Event: In 2014, the UK government initiates a policy push toward AI research and industrial growth, establishing a framework to invest in AI-related technologies. This marks the beginning of a decade-long commitment to fostering AI innovation across industries, preparing the foundation for the AI strategies that follow.
• Document/Link: AI Growth Strategy (2014).

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