Innovation and Technology

Why > By centralizing and organizing data from various research programs, the government aims to improve decision-making, streamline public services, and enhance the delivery of services to citizens. It also fosters better collaboration between institutions and ensures valuable data is accessible and usable for solving societal challenges. What Success Means > Success means more efficient, evidence-based public services, with improved outcomes for citizens. It also means making data-driven insights more readily available to policymakers and researchers, ultimately leading to better-targeted services, cost savings, and enhanced government accountability.

Why > Full gigabit and 5G coverage is crucial for digital competitiveness. Currently, only 70% of UK premises have access to gigabit broadband. South Korea leads the world in digital infrastructure, with nearly universal 5G coverage. What Success Means > Success would mean universal high-speed internet access, boosting productivity, supporting remote work and learning, and attracting tech investments. It would also reduce the digital divide, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

Why > A YouGov survey in late 2023 showed that nearly half of the 2,067 respondents did not feel they had a good grasp of impending impact of AI technology (CIPD). Additionally, ESET UK Research reveals that nearly two-thirds of women fear becoming victims of deepfake pornography. These regulations aim to protect individuals’ privacy, ensure AI is developed responsibly, and safeguard society from the dangers of malicious or unethical AI use. What Success Means > Success means creating a safer, more accountable AI landscape, where innovation is balanced with strong ethical standards. It also involves reducing the risk of harm, such as the exploitation of deepfake technology, while promoting the responsible advancement of AI that benefits society.

Why > The UK’s R&D expenditure as a share of GDP is low, with government-performed R&D accounting for just 0.12%. This falls below the OECD averages of 0.24% in 2019 and 0.26% in 2020 (Independent Review of the UK’s Research, Development and Innovation Organisational Landscape). Long-term budgets provide stability, enabling R&D institutions to plan and execute ambitious, high-impact projects without the uncertainty of short-term funding cuts. This approach fosters innovation, strengthens the UK’s global competitiveness, and ensures consistent progress in critical scientific and technological areas. What Success Means > Success means enhanced innovation capacity, groundbreaking research outcomes, increased international collaboration, and a stronger position for the UK as a global leader in science and technology. It also ensures sustained job creation and economic growth driven by advanced R&D efforts.

Why > A new report from the trade body found data centers are already contributing £4.7 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) annually to the UK economy. By removing barriers to the development of data centers, the strategy will help create the infrastructure needed to support AI advancements, enhance data storage capacity, and boost digital transformation across industries. What Success Means > Success means a thriving AI sector that drives technological innovation, job creation, and economic growth. It also means the establishment of more data centers, improving the UK’s digital infrastructure, supporting the growth of tech businesses, and ensuring the country remains competitive in the global digital economy.