Tag: Department for Science Innovation and Technology

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 19 January 2025.

Public sector workers are being held back by archaic technology according to a new report set to be published on Tuesday.

• Public sector workers are being held back by archaic technology – crippling productivity and slashing public satisfaction in services, according to a new report set to be published on Tuesday.
• Inheritance from previous government shows an overreliance on contractors sending costs rocketing and how outages and cyber-attacks are putting NHS and public services in jeopardy.
• Comes ahead of ambitious reforms and new tech putting AI and digital technology to work for the public sector, delivering on the AI Opportunities Action Plan and saving taxpayers billions while improving public services to deliver across Plan for Change.
• New AI tools ‘Connect’ and ‘Scout’ also announced to help speed up clean power connections and keep mega-projects running to time, driving growth and lowering energy bills in the long term.

Taxpayer funded services from the NHS to local councils are missing out on £45 billion in productivity savings – more than enough to pay for every primary school in the UK for a full year – because they are too often dependent on old and outdated technology.

With nearly half of public services unable to be accessed online, people are spending too much time applying for support in person, including time on hold or travelling to council offices. Public sector workers are also wasting time sifting through physical letters. This means response times are unnecessarily long with British citizens paying the price and wasting valuable time on government admin.

Examples highlighted in a new report set to be published this Tuesday show the shocking state the previous government left public technology. It includes outdated examples including the need to register a death in person, which demands time from people unnecessarily as they are mourning the death of a loved and the pointless burdens placed on small businesses, like forcing firms to put an advert in their local paper when they want to buy a lorry – getting in the way of growth.

Some departments manage over 500 paper-based services and a lack of information sharing between departments further hampers citizens, often the most vulnerable. For example, patients with long term health conditions can be forces to speak to over 40 different services to access the care and support they need and are entitled to, with these different public bodies rarely sharing information, leaving people to repeat themselves time and again.

To tackle these issues, the Technology Secretary will use digital tools, AI and common sense to overhaul public sector technology – so it saves money, treats people with respect, and just makes sense. He will set out a wholesale reshaping of how services use technology, reaching across local government, the NHS, and more, in a bid to modernise the state.

The changes due to be announced could save taxpayers billions by making public services more productive, as well as freeing up public servants and doctors to spend more time helping the people they serve. The changes will also make it easier for people to access government services and drive economic growth by supporting businesses get the approvals they need more quickly – delivering on multiple aims of the Government’s Plan for Change.

Just over a week after the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the changes will deliver on key recommendations by transforming citizens’ experiences of government services, improving productivity and strengthening the foundations from how data is used, to boosting skills, and attracting talent.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Technology that sits at the foundation of our country has been left to wither and decay under the hands of the previous government, too often grinding to a halt and stalling essential public services – racking up a huge bill for the taxpayer.

It doesn’t have to be this way – and it won’t be with our Plan for Change. There is a £45 billion jackpot for the public sector if we get technology adoption right, that’s twice the size of the black hole we faced when we took office, and it’s not an opportunity we can let pass us by.    The new findings are also expected to show government departments have been pushed towards bringing in contractors and consultants to complete basic technological tasks instead of full-time staff. This trend was driven by weak salaries and headcount restrictions that stopped departments. This is despite them costing three times more than civil servants and eating up £14.5 billion in taxpayer money a year.

Findings will show that over one-in-four digital systems used by central government were found to be outdated. In the worst cases, this figure almost tripled (70%). This outdated technology can rack up huge maintenance costs, ultimately resulting in the taxpayer paying out three-to-four times more than if the technology was kept up to date.

A growing number of these outdated systems are “red-rated” for reliability and security risk. The report found that NHS England alone saw 123 critical service outages last year, often meaning appointments are missed and patients can’t get the care they need because staff were forced back to using paper-based systems.

Among the reforms to be announced later this week, a new offering from an expanded Government Digital Service will search for vulnerabilities across the public sector that hackers could use to shut down essential services and stop citizens accessing critical support. Support will then help different organisations fix these issues and make the UK more resilient to cyber attacks.

Energy AI tool – ‘Connect’

The Government is also today unveiling new AI tools that will help to speed up the queue to connect clean energy projects to the national grid, helping to reduce energy bills and power the AI economy amid plans to boost the UK’s computing power to drive growth, as part of the Plan for Change.

Connect, developed by AI experts in Whitehall, is an AI tool under development that could help to reduce delays large-scale energy generation projects, like wind and solar farms, are facing to get a connection to the electricity grid. New sources of clean, renewable energy will not only protect billpayers from unstable fossil fuel markets, but boost the UK’s wider energy security ambitions – freeing us up from relying on foreign sources of power and breaking the energy monopoly which countries like Russia currently control.

The technology will also support the work of the newly announced AI Energy Council, bringing together energy producers and big tech companies to understand the power demands of AI and the Government’s ambition to expand compute capacity by twenty times.

Over the last five years, the grid connection queue has grown tenfold and now contains over four times the amount of energy generation the UK is predicted to need by 2050. Many of these projects are speculative or do not have the necessary funding or planning permission to progress, causing delays for viable projects behind them.

Added to this, the ‘first-come, first-served’ connection process, and much-needed upgrades to the grid’s capacity, are contributing to energy developers facing delays of up to 10 years to get new renewable electricity flowing into the grid.

With input from the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero, Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator, the team behind ‘Connect’ are exploring how this work – powered by AI – could be applied to better match energy generation projects – like ready-to-go large scale wind farm projects stuck in a queue – to grid capacity where it is available.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

This innovative use of AI could help us clean up the queue and slash waiting times to hook important energy projects up to the electricity grid, which is key to delivering our clean power by 2030 mission.

The sooner we can get more homegrown renewable energy onto the grid, the quicker we can deliver on our Plan for Change and homes and businesses can benefit from a new era of clean electricity.

Infrastructure AI tool – ‘Scout’

“Scout” is another tool developed by the team, which will help officials make sure major multi-billion-pound projects are delivered on time and to budget – whether that’s a new motorway or a mid-sized hospital. It does this by automatically analysing thousands of documents to help detect problems earlier, enabling timely interventions that keep critical projects on track.

The tool replaces manual processes where up to 150 reports and documents are reviewed, leading to crucial details being glossed over and opportunities to prevent problems missed. It will help civil servants to be more efficient, and improve the government’s ability to run multi-billion-pound projects to time and budget, fixing the foundations of our economy as we drive ahead in delivering economic growth.

In the tool’s analysis, it follows stringent guidelines set by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority,  and cuts manual processing time from hours in five minutes.

These tools are being announced following Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunity’s Action plan, where the Government accepted his recommendation to scale successful AI pilot projects within government. The wider plan looks to unleash AI to drive economic growth across the UK and deliver the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

Notes to editors:

• The State of Digital Government Report, with support from Bain & Company, is based on insights from over 500 leaders across 120 organisations, data from 100+ entities, and input from 65 stakeholders across public, private, and third sectors. It will be published next week in full.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 15 January 2025.

An average of £200 million in private sector investment has been funnelled into the UK’s world leading AI sector every day since last summer.

An average of £200 million in private sector investment has been funnelled into the UK’s world leading AI sector a day since the new government took office last summer – an average of more than £8.3 million every hour – fuelling the Plan for Change to fix the foundations of the economy.

More than £14 billion pounds worth of investment into the UK and thousands of new jobs have been confirmed in just 48 hours since the AI Opportunities Action Plan was published, as companies from around the world back Britain’s new blueprint to ensure it can fully realise the opportunities of artificial intelligence.

It follows £25 billion worth of new investment into the UK’s data centre infrastructure announced at the Global Investment Summit earlier this year, bringing the total to £39 billion in the last six months.

Cementing the UK’s position as the global destination for AI, a wave of global companies have put their weight behind the UK’s new vision for the technology which was unveiled by the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary on Monday.

In a move to bolster our AI infrastructure, American AI cloud-computing company CoreWeave has set to work using cutting edge NVIDIA technology to ramp up the UK’s compute capacity – a key pillar of the government’s new vision for AI. They are doing this at their Data Centre sites in Crawley and London Docklands – their first bases in the UK – rolling out a new compute platform by delivering state-of-the-art processors through its specialized cloud platform, purpose-built to provide highly performant and efficient infrastructure for AI workloads. This has opened up a new world of processing power to Britain’s innovators, and follows the company’s decision to base its European Headquarters in London and invest £1.75 billion into the UK in 2024.

Putting the right building blocks in place to help British companies scale up and become AI leaders is also central to the new blueprint set out by the government. Synthesia – a London based company which is the market leader in software for AI-generated video content – are the latest to be riding this wave of momentum with a successful funding round which has seen their value swell to $2.1 billion. This investment will support Synthesia’s growth and expansion ambitions, as it aims to become one of Britain’s most valuable AI companies.

Secretary of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Peter Kyle said:

This week we begin a new chapter – putting AI in the driving seat to power the government’s Plan for Change and deliver better lives for everyone in the country.

The steps we’re taking forward from Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunities Action Plan represent a step change in how the UK manages this technology – unlocking a fresh start for our economy and for working people.

By attracting more than £14 billion in new investment and thousands of fresh jobs since unveiling our new blueprint from companies across the globe, the message is clear – the UK’s pull as a magnet for AI innovation and growth will only go from strength to strength.

Supporting the government’s laser-focus of spreading the benefits of AI across the economy, Tech Nation – part of Founders Forum group – Merantix, and Onfido Founder Husayn Kassai, in partnership with Techspace, have also committed today to launching a new dedicated AI hub in London. The London AI Hub will serve as a new epicentre for collaboration and innovation based in Farringdon. Creating a vital focal point for AI innovators to come together and collaborate, companies are now set to move into the Hub from next month.

In an announcement earlier this week, one of our leading home-grown success stories Nscale also committed to delivering a $2.5 billion investment to support the UK’s data centre infrastructure over the next three years. Deepening their commitment even further, they have also put pen to paper on a contract to build the largest UK sovereign AI data centre in Loughton, Essex by 2026. The site is expected to be up and running in late 2026, unlocking more than 750 jobs during its construction and a further 250 permanent roles which will then drive forward its work – delivering new opportunities for people across the region.

Further support has also come from Vantage Data Centers, who are committed to continuing to expand their footprint in the UK, with a more than £12 billion funding commitment which will deliver 11,500 jobs across the UK and will meet the growing demand for cloud-based services and technology.

In a further jobs boost, French AI giant Mistral also unveiled plans last week to make the UK their home from home with a new office in London – its first European base outside France – with plans to double its UK workforce by the end of 2025. Kyndryl – the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider and a leading IT consultancy – has also announced plans to create up to 1,000 AI-related jobs in Liverpool over the next three years. This new tech hub will share the government’s ambition to roll AI out across the country to help grow the economy and foster the next generation of talent.

Setting out a plan to turbocharge AI on Monday (13 January), the Prime Minister committed to harnessing the technology to turbocharge growth and boost living standards to deliver on the government’s Plan for Change. Every lever of the state has now swung into action to deliver on the 50 proposals from AI entrepreneur Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, with a singular focus on making the UK a magnet for firms looking to invest, scale, and grow their businesses.

The plan includes initiatives that will help make the UK the number one place for AI firms to invest, which is vital if Britain is to be at the forefront of this industry and be a change-maker rather than a change-taker.

Further Information

• The Vantage Data Centres anticipated investment, some of which is subject to planning permission and agreed connection timelines, is expected to support over 10,000 local construction jobs over the next decade, and create over 1,500 operational roles at its data centres.
• Read about the UK’s new blueprint for AI.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 14 January 2025.

Small businesses across the country will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency through AI tools set to be trialled.

Small businesses across the country will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency through AI tools set to be trialled – from tech that predicts potholes before they form, to AI models that help farmers make their dairy cows produce greater yields.

Announced today (Tuesday 14 January), the 120 projects will receive a share of £7 million in UK Government funding, enabling them to test AI tech that could give a boost to a whole range of businesses: from agriculture, to transport, to construction and more.

AI is set to be the defining technology of the 21st Century. It is already boosting businesses’ productivity and overhauling public services like healthcare and education.  The government is taking action to help Britain’s businesses and job-creators embrace AI, so they can be more productive, competitive, and deliver the growth the UK needs to improve public services and put more cash in hardworking people’s pockets as part of the PM’s Plan for Change. As Europe’s number one destination for AI businesses, the UK is already well-positioned to seize this opportunity.

The support announced today is focused on how AI could help smaller companies tackle pressing challenges to their businesses, and how researchers can use this tech to take on everyday problems we all live with.

This backing is what the Government’s Plan for Change looks like in action, giving people the tools they need to harness the power of new technologies like AI, which will ultimately grow the economy and benefit everyone. Other projects include:

• Using AI to cut food waste – and thereby protect profit margins – at a bakery by accurately predicting sales and forecasting how much of each product needs to be made daily.
• Road-testing an AI tool that can predict potholes before they form, so roads can be repaired earlier and more cheaply, and before they cause expensive damage to vehicles.
• Trialling an AI model that anticipates where mould is likely to grow in buildings, so they can be remediated before they become a health and safety issue.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Putting AI to work right across the economy can help businesses cut waste, move faster and be more productive.

The huge range of projects receiving funding today, from farmers and bakers to those tackling potholes on our roads and mould in residential properties, demonstrates the truly limitless benefits of AI that are there for the taking.

And take them we will, with our 50-point AI Opportunities Plan, published yesterday, to unleash AI across the UK, delivering a decade of national renewal and firing up our Plan for Change.

The funding forms part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund, with the support being delivered by the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme.

This announcement builds on the AI Opportunities Action Plan published yesterday, which sets out the Government’s ambitious vision to ramp up the adoption of AI right across the economy. The Plan is a roadmap to spread AI adoption across every part of the UK, help boost living standards, create jobs and unleash economic growth. The difference AI is set to make to all walks of life is further underlined by this week’s announcement of £1 million funding to develop bespoke AI tools to support teachers and transform education – with almost half of teachers across the country already using AI to help with their work.

As the projects today’s funding will support show – from tech to help strawberry farmers protect their yields, to tools to help town planners predict their area’s future transport needs – AI could make a positive impact in every field of work in the UK, and will be critical to kickstarting the growth the country needs. On top of the monetary support, the BridgeAI programme supports businesses by allowing them to tap into training and scientific expertise, as well as offering wider expert advice and guidance to develop their AI innovations.

Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI Technology Missions Fund Senior Responsible Owner and Executive Director of Cross-Council programme at UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said:

Today’s investment, funded through UKRI’s Technology Missions Fund, is a major boost to the BridgeAI’s target sectors where the adoption of AI technologies could help to improve productivity and efficiency.

UKRI is in a unique position to bring together businesses and research organisations across a wide range of sectors to discover where AI can make the most difference to people’s lives and the UK economy.

Esra Kasapoglu, Director of AI & Data Economy at UKRI-Innovate UK said:

The adoption of AI in UK industry is fundamental to supporting the country’s economic growth.  Today’s investment will enable us, through BridgeAI, to help more companies to unlock the potential of AI in their business.

It will also allow further development of projects already demonstrating impact to continue their AI journey.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 8 January 2025.

More than 30 projects across England and Northern Ireland will deliver targeted support to boost the UK’s cyber resilience.

More than 30 projects across England and Northern Ireland will deliver targeted support to boost the UK’s cyber resilience – from new ways to better protect businesses and families from potential cyber-attacks, to providing training to increase the nation’s cyber skills – as the government drives forward its Plan for Change to grow the economy and ensure the UK’s digital security.

Announced today (8th January), the new projects will receive a share of £1.9 million in UK government and private funding to bolster the UK’s cyber defences and make sure the country has the cyber workforce it needs as the threat of attacks rises, with schemes in Northern Ireland, the Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, the South West, North East and North West of England set to benefit.

The UK’s cyber sector is a true success story, contributing £11.9 billion to the British economy. The increasing number of threats we face online though means demand for trained cyber professionals is continuing to rise, with almost half of UK businesses currently reporting a cyber skills shortage. These projects will now help plug the gaps and meet that demand – giving people across the country the skills they need to explore new, highly-paid careers in cyber to ensure the wider security of technology and digital services across the economy.

First announced at a global cyber security meeting convened by the UK in September, these projects – delivered by organisations such as universities, local community groups and businesses – will tap into local know-how and partnerships to support initiatives which meet the needs of individual areas, plugging skills gaps to help keep the UK safe online by providing training for a wide range of groups including everyone from secondary school students and apprentices to working professionals.

Among the projects being supported are programmes in the South West and Yorkshire to upskill workers in small businesses, and a scheme in the North West of England which will unlock new avenues for communities to explore careers in cyber.

A project in Northern Ireland meanwhile will explore how to encourage more neurodiverse workers into the field – boosting the diversity of the UK’s cyber talent pipeline. While a programme in the West Midlands will focus on supporting women and girls to protect them from cyber violence and abuse.

Combined, these projects will help to deliver a stronger workforce, unlock new opportunities, and improve skills right across the country, helping keep the UK’s digital economy safe and secure and ultimately putting more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

Minister for Cyber Security Feryal Clark said:

We live more and more of our lives online – whether that’s for our weekly shopping, banking, browsing the web to book a holiday, or simply staying in touch with our loved ones.

But our growing digital economy is also worth billions to the economy. That’s why having strong defences in place is more important than ever – and as part of our Plan for Change to grow our economy, we also need to protect it.

Attempts to disrupt the technologies and services we rely on daily continue to grow, so we’re leaving no stone un-turned to make sure our communities have the skills to rise to the challenge.

It’s also vital we develop a diverse and talented cyber security workforce, which is why the next phase of the Cyber Explorers Cup competition will be vital in identifying the UK’s cyber leaders of tomorrow.

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Director for National Resilience and Future Technology, Jonathan Ellison said:

These projects will help enhance the UK’s cyber resilience by empowering local communities with the skills and support needed to combat growing digital threats.

By upskilling small businesses and individuals, investing in workforce development and encouraging neurodiverse talent, government and industry partners are fostering robust and diverse cyber communities for the future.

This is vital for protecting our digital economy, creating new opportunities for secure innovation and helping make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair, Innovate UK, said:

Innovate UK are delighted to celebrate the winners of the first Cyber Local competition as they begin their funded projects.

These initiatives play a vital role in addressing the cyber skills gap by equipping local communities with essential cyber security skills and creating greater opportunities for individuals, particularly from underrepresented demographics, to pursue careers in this dynamic sector.

By fostering area partnerships and building strong links between industry, the public sector, and academia, these projects will strengthen local cyber security ecosystems and drive innovation. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these investments will have on both local communities and the broader national cyber resilience.

Encouraging the UK’s brightest young minds into careers in the field is a vital part of building up the country’s online defences and delivering a strong cyber security workforce. The Cyber Explorers Cup competition, launching its second round today, will fuel that drive and help meet the significant demand for cyber security workers in the UK for years to come. Cyber Explorers is a free, interactive cyber security learning platform which has been rolled out to secondary schools across the UK. Focused on 11 to 14 year olds, the programme looks to build essential digital skills to arm students with the tools they need to launch careers in cyber security.

The Cyber Explorers Cup will see competitors from across the country taking part in a series of ‘capture the flag’ style cyber security challenges, solving cyber puzzles and boosting their cyber security knowledge.

To be eligible, students will need to complete a minimum of 3 missions on the Cyber Explorers platform. Building on the strength of last year’s edition which saw 680 students taking part, winners will take home both a certificate of achievement and be supported to join the cyber security workforce in the future through career days with cyber experts.

The steps being taken today show how the government is delivering on its Plan for Change to kickstart 2025 – and as it prepares to introduce a new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill – ensuring the safety and security of our digital economy while unlocking new opportunities for people and communities across the country. They will ensure the UK can meet long-term demand for cyber experts, while also supporting the delivery of new jobs to boost long-term economic growth and ultimately put more money in people’s pockets.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 7 January 2025.

Around 131,000 homes and businesses across the country will no longer be stuck with slow internet speeds as the UK government’s rollout of gigabit connectivity races ahead.

Some of Britain’s most isolated communities will benefit from faster broadband speeds, giving them better access to a range of services including healthcare at home through virtual consultations and remote monitoring, and helping to combat loneliness by ensuring pensioners can access high-quality video calls.

It will also support businesses to better grow and serve their customers online and help young people have a better start in life through access to online education and the resources to apply and interview for jobs.

Project Gigabit plays a key role in plans to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change. With faster internet speeds across the country, communities that would otherwise be left behind with outdated broadband networks will be able to make the most of what the digital world has to offer.

Areas set to benefit include the Dee Valley, Isle of Anglesey, and Shropshire Hills as 4 new contracts – worth over £289 million – have been signed by the UK government and Openreach. This will deliver the fastest, most reliable broadband networks on the market to hundreds of towns and villages in rural Britain and plug the digital divide outside urban areas.

Areas to benefit from the new contracts include North and Southwest Wales, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Devon, Somerset, Essex, North East England and Worcestershire.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

We are determined to deliver the infrastructure this country needs to thrive, and I am thrilled to see so many homes and businesses in all areas of the country getting access to the fastest broadband speeds on the market through Project Gigabit.

With today’s £289 million investment, we are not only boosting connectivity, but making it easier to access remote healthcare, online education, shopping online. work, learn, shop and stay in touch with loved ones online.

As part of this government’s Plan for Change, we will plug digital divides, helping to make the UK a more equal society where everyone is given a fair shot in life.

The latest contracts add to the 96,600 premises already set to benefit under a UK government agreement with Openreach. The agreement signed earlier this year will make up to £800 million of funding available to modernise broadband infrastructure in rural areas of England, Scotland and Wales, ending the plight of buffering.

Across the UK, Project Gigabit is now delivering gigabit connectivity to over 1.1 million hard-to-reach premises – a figure that will continue to rise in the months ahead, meeting the demand for reliable connectivity, stimulating rural economies and reducing regional disparities.

For households, gigabit-capable broadband delivers faster speeds and fewer dropouts, providing a gateway to remote working and online education. Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections won’t slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth with neighbours. Gigabit networks can easily handle over a hundred devices all at once with no buffering, meaning the whole family can seamlessly surf, stream and download at the same time.

Across the UK, over 1 million hard-to-reach premises already have access to upgrades thanks to UK government investment. Over 85 per cent of the country can now access gigabit connections, putting the UK in a strong position to meet the government’s target of full gigabit coverage by 2030.

Dozens of Project Gigabit contracts representing more than £2.2 billion investment have now been signed with over 10 different suppliers to deliver the upgrades, including many smaller, independent broadband providers.

Openreach CEO Clive Selley, said:

Our new Full Fibre broadband network now reaches more than half of all properties in the UK, and we’re confident we can reach as many as 30 million premises by the end of the decade, assuming the right regulatory and investment conditions exist. This is a British infrastructure success story which experts say will boost productivity by £73 billion and bring a raft of social and environmental benefits for the country. We believe that everyone deserves access to fast and reliable broadband, and we’re proud that this partnership will help extend our ultrafast, ultra-reliable network to areas that would otherwise be left behind by the private sector.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 17 December 2024.

New records reveal how algorithmic tools are being used in public services to enhance citizen support, enable quick and accurate decision-making, and drive technological improvements in critical government services.

New records show the inner workings of algorithmic tools being used to help public services to support citizens, make quick and accurate decisions, and drive forward the use of technology to improve vital government services and cut backlogs.

The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) records published today (17th December), demonstrate how, for example how:

• the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is using AI to more quickly provide Britons with information when they need help abroad
• the Ministry of Justice is using algorithms to help researchers better understand how people interact with the justice system
• other departments are using AI to improve job adverts

It comes as the Science Secretary’s department continues to shape the new ‘digital centre’ of government to boost technology adoption across the public sector and improve public services, supporting all the government’s 5 missions and boosting public service reform under the Plan for Change.

Last week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, set out that the benefits of technology like AI must be felt in the public services as well as in the private sector, and the power of tech should be used to modernise government.

Science Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Technology has huge potential to transform public services for the better, we will put it to use to cut backlogs, save money and improve outcomes for citizens across the country.

Transparency in how and why the public sector is using algorithmic tools is crucial to ensure that they are trusted and effective. That is why we will continue to take bold steps like releasing these records to make sure everyone is clear on how we are applying and trialing technology as we use it to bring public services back from the brink.

Among the records published today, the Department for Business and Trade has revealed that it is using an algorithmic tool to predict which companies export goods to other countries, in turn driving economic growth and supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

Officials in the department are then able to make more targeted decisions about which companies they reach out and offer help to, so high potential exporting businesses can reach more international customers quickly.

Before the tool was put in place, officials had to use more manual methods to sift through data on the over 5 million companies registered on Companies House to target support – slowing down help the government could offer, and missing opportunities to support high-growth businesses.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

Our Plan for Change will deliver economic growth, and for that to succeed we need to support companies across the UK to realise their full potential when it comes to exporting around the globe.

Our use of AI plays a vital and growing role in that mission, allowing high-growth businesses to maximise the export opportunities available to them, while ensuring that we are using taxpayers’ money responsibly and efficiently in delivering economic stability.

New today, the government is also setting clear terms for the tools algorithmic transparency records will cover, so people know how the government is making use of AI. This confirms that central government organisations will publish a record for any algorithmic tool that interacts directly with citizens or significantly influences decisions made about people, unless a narrow set of exemptions apply such as national security. It also confirms that records will be published for tools once they are being piloted publicly or are live and running.

The records set out how reliable data is used to train AI models, what underlying technology is used in each case, and how any risks are managed effectively. In every case where civil servants use algorithmic tools to make quicker decisions, the records also show how trained staff remain behind the ultimate decision-making process.

Notes to editors

The full list of ATRS records for tools released today is as follows:

• Home Office – Complexity Application Routing Solution – Visits (CARS(V))
• DBT – Find Exporters
• FCDO – Consular Digital Triage – Written Enquiries LLM
• HMT – Correspondence Triage Automation Tool
• HMT – HMT Modelling Policy Engine
• DSIT – Ask Ops Chatbot
• DSIT – Succession Select
• MoD – Textio
• MoJ – Data First (Splink)
• NICE – NORMA (NICE-ONS Recommendation Matching Algorithm)
• Oak National Academy – Aila: Oak’s AI lesson assistant
• Cafcass – Genesys Chatbot
• MaPs – Pension Calculator
• Network Rail – Network Rail’s Digital Assistant

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 17 December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on how the government can ensure the UK’s legal framework for AI and copyright supports the UK creative industries and AI sector together.

• new proposals seek to bring legal certainty to creative and AI sectors over how copyright protected materials are used in model training, supporting innovation and boosting the growth of both sectors crucial to our Plan for Change
• a balanced package of proposals aims to give creators greater control over how their material is used by AI developers, and enhance their ability to be paid for its use
• the proposals will also seek greater transparency from AI firms over the data used to train AI models alongside how AI-generated content is labelled
• AI developers would have wide access to material to train world-leading models in the UK, and legal certainty would boost AI adoption across the economy

The UK has today launched a consultation on plans to give certainty to the creative industries and AI developers on how copyright material can be used to train AI models. Supporting the UK Government’s Plan for Change, the move will help drive growth across both sectors by ensuring protection and payment for rights holders and supporting AI developers to innovate responsibly.

Both sectors are central to the Government’s Industrial Strategy, and these proposals aim to forge a new path forward which will allow both to flourish and drive growth. Key areas of the consultation include boosting trust and transparency between the sectors, so right holders have a better understanding of how AI developers are using their material and how it has been obtained.

The consultation also explores how creators can license and be remunerated for the use of their material, and how wide access to high-quality data for AI developers can be strengthened to enable innovation across the UK AI sector.

These proposals will help unlock the full potential of the AI sector and creative industries to drive innovation, investment, and prosperity across the country, driving forward the UK government’s mission to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7 under its Plan for Change.

Currently, uncertainty about how copyright law applies to AI is holding back both sectors from reaching their full potential. It can make it difficult for creators to control or seek payment for the use of their work, and creates legal risks for AI firms, stifling AI investment, innovation, and adoption. After previous attempts to agree a voluntary AI copyright code of practice proved unsuccessful, this government is determined to take proactive steps with our creative and AI sectors to deliver a workable solution.

To address this, the consultation proposes introducing an exception to copyright law for AI training for commercial purposes while allowing rights holders to reserve their rights, so they can control the use of their content. Together with transparency requirements, this would give them more certainty and control over how their content is used and support them to strike licensing deals. This would also give AI developers greater certainty about what material they can and cannot use and ensure wide access to material in the UK.

Before these measures could come into effect, further work with both sectors would be needed to ensure any standards and requirements for rights reservation and transparency are effective, accessible, and widely adopted. This would allow for smooth application by AI developers and right holders alike, ensuring rights holders of all sizes can reserve their rights and that any future regime delivers our objectives. These measures would be fundamental to the effectiveness of any exception, and we would not introduce an exception without them.

The consultation also proposes new requirements for AI model developers to be more transparent about their model training datasets and how they are obtained. For example, AI developers could be required to provide more information about what content they have used to train their models. This would enable rights holders to understand when and how their content has been used in training AI.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:

The UK has an incredibly rich and diverse cultural sector and a ground breaking tech sector which is pushing the boundaries of AI. It’s clear that our current AI and copyright framework does not support either our creative industries or our AI sectors to compete on the global stage.

That is why we are setting out a balanced package of proposals to address uncertainty about how copyright law applies to AI so we can drive continued growth in the AI sector and creative industries, which will help deliver on our mission of the highest sustained growth in the G7 as part of our Plan for Change.

This is all about partnership: balancing strong protections for creators while removing barriers to AI innovation; and working together across government and industry sectors to deliver this.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said: 

This government firmly believes that our musicians, writers, artists and other creatives should have the ability to know and control how their content is used by AI firms and be able to seek licensing deals and fair payment. Achieving this, and ensuring legal certainty, will help our creative and AI sectors grow and innovate together in partnership.

We stand steadfast behind our world-class creative and media industries which add so much to our cultural and economic life. We will work with them and the AI sector to develop this clearer copyright system for the digital age and ensure that any system is workable and easy-to-use for businesses of all sizes.

Licensing is essential as a means for creators to secure appropriate payment for their work, and these proposals lay the groundwork for rights holders to strike licensing deals with AI developers when rights have been reserved. For example, a photographer who uploads their work onto their internet blog could reserve their rights, with confidence that their wishes will be respected and generative AI developers will not use their images unless a licence has been agreed. This would support the creative and media industries’ control, and their ability to generate revenue from the use of their material and provide AI developers with certainty about the material they can legally access.

This combined approach is designed to strengthen trust between the two sectors, which are increasingly interlinked, clearing the way for developers to confidently build and deploy the next generation of AI applications in the UK, in a way that ensures human creators and rights holders have a shared stake in AI’s transformative potential.

The government welcomes licensing deals that have already been agreed, including by major firms in the music and news publishing sectors. But it is clear that many more creatives and right holders have not been able to do so under the current copyright regime. The creative industries, and businesses of all sizes, need more help to control their content and strike licensing deals. The government is determined to make it easier for them to do this.

The consultation also recognises issues related to the protection of personality rights in the context of digital replicas, such as deepfake imitations of individuals, and will seek views on whether the current legal frameworks are sufficiently robust to tackle the issue.

As AI continues to develop at a rapid pace, the UK’s response must evolve alongside it. The government welcomes all stakeholder views on these proposals and is committed to making progress by collaborating with creators, rights holders, and AI developers to co-design the right copyright and AI framework for the UK, which will allow both sectors to thrive.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 27 November 2024.

New projects are set to test innovative hybrid connectivity solutions in some of the very hardest to reach places in the UK, with up to £3.5 million in government funding.

Despite the significant progress made on superfast and gigabit-capable broadband, certain remote and rural locations across the UK still face challenges where satellites offer the only practical solution for connectivity. These areas, often characterised by difficult terrain and sparse populations, make traditional infrastructure costly and impractical.

The UK Space Agency is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) telecommunications research programme to help close the digital divide.

The new funding call aims to select partners for three projects focused on delivering future satellite services. One of these projects will provide portable gigabit-capable internet speeds, with terminals designed to be mounted on vehicles to improve connectivity for users such as local authorities, farmers, emergency services, and the events and hospitality sector.

In two specific rural and remote islands in Shetland and Northern Ireland, two other projects will test innovative hybrid networks to see if they could be used to support further locations unable to connect to traditional networks.

This improved connectivity will support education, research, tourism, conservation, local businesses, and healthcare, enhancing the economy and quality of life in very hard to reach places.

Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant said:

Digital infrastructure is essential for our modern way of life. But for too long, many businesses and communities have felt left behind.

This is why we must do whatever it takes to ensure we harness technological innovation to enrich people’s lives and tackle exclusion, rather than entrench existing inequalities. These pilots, for instance, will help shape the next generation of connectivity, using a combination of satellite technology and mobile networks to test innovative new services that could be a real game-changer for remote and rural communities.

This work will showcase the potential of integrating different satellite technologies to deliver gigabit-capable speeds at affordable prices. The proposed Nomadic Multi-orbit User Terminal Demonstrator will be portable, able to be mounted on a standard vehicle, and adaptable. It will use the signals from satellites in both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to create a robust, flexible and high-speed communication system.

The Rathlin Island Service Demonstrator project aims to boost digital connectivity on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland, benefiting residents, businesses, and tourists while preserving its cultural and natural heritage. The funding call offers £2 million to improve connectivity, showcasing advanced satellite and wireless technologies for future use.

As Northern Ireland’s northernmost point, Rathlin lies just 7 miles off the mainland, with a small but vibrant community of 141 residents as of the 2021 Census. However, the island’s population swells significantly with approximately 40,000 annual visitors. Tourists are particularly drawn to its wildlife, cultural, and historic attractions.

Rathlin Island’s current network quality is inconsistent, relying on mainland mobile signals and various broadband solutions. A dedicated submarine cable is impractical, so satellite services can step in. The project plans to combine LEO and GEO satellite terminals with wireless/mobile technologies, possibly including 5G/6G, for a comprehensive solution.

Connectivity solutions must be designed to minimise environmental impact, respect cultural heritage, handle seasonal tourist influxes, and coordinate with local authorities to avoid disrupting island life.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office Fleur Anderson said:

It’s fantastic that residents and people visiting Rathlin Island will be able to benefit from enhanced digital connectivity thanks to this funding.

Reliable connectivity is a necessity which can open up opportunities and transform services, and this initiative will have a positive impact on business and the entire community.

Robert Hill, Northern Ireland Space Cluster Manager said:

The commitment from the UK Space Agency and its partners, DSIT and the European Space Agency to improve connectivity of remote areas both locally and in Scotland via satellite communication solutions is to be greatly welcomed. With many people still working from home, the education system increasingly utilising online methods to communicate with and provide learning materials to students, and the farming community embracing technological advances, this move will help to put those living in such areas on a more equal footing with the rest of the population. I look forward to watching these projects move forward and the undoubted benefits they will bring to both individuals and organisations across many sectors.

Michael Cecil, Chair of the Rathlin Development & Community Association said:

We welcome this new initiative from DSIT and the European and UK Space Agencies and the possibilities it can bring for improved broadband and Wi-Fi service on the island.

Rathlin’s East Lighthouse was the location from which Marconi’s team made the first commercial radio broadcast and it is exciting to think this initiative may again put Rathlin at the forefront of piloting developments that can benefit not only the island community but many beyond our shores.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 14 November 2024.

Simon Thompson has been selected as the new Chair of the Met Office Board and will start his appointment on 1 December 2024.

Simon takes over the position from Rob Woodward CBE who has served two full terms as Chair, having taken up the position in 2018.

As Chair, Simon will work with the Met Office Board and wider executive team in continuing to grow the weather and climate services and global leadership that the Met Office delivers. These services help Government, the public, industry and international partners achieve their goals, enabling people to stay safe and thrive.

Speaking of his appointment, Simon Thompson commented:

“I look forward to working with the Board and the Executive at this exciting time, as the Met Office seeks to realise the full social and economic benefits of the recent investment in a new supercomputer.”

Simon has held a number of senior leadership positions in the finance, natural resources and energy sectors, including serving as chairman of 3i Group and Rio Tinto and as a director of Anglo American. Committed to public good science and sustainability, Simon currently serves as a director of the British Geological Survey and is a Defra-appointed member of the Peak District National Park Authority.

He is also a Senior Advisor to Rothschild & Co. and a member of the Energy Transition Commission. Simon’s academic credentials include a MA in geology from Oxford University, a PhD in history from King’s College London and an Honorary Professorship at the University of Exeter, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economics.

Met Office Chief Executive, Prof Penny Endersby CBE, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Simon on board with his wealth of experience at a very exciting time for the Met Office, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding job Rob Woodward has done steering us through the last six years.”

Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

“My congratulations to Simon Thompson on his appointment as Chair of the Met Office Board and I welcome the extensive leadership experience and commitment to applying scientific knowledge that he will bring to the role.

“The Met Office plays an important part in our daily lives and our safety through its weather and climate forecasts, for which it is recognised and valued globally.

“It is vital we have a leader in post who can make the most of the valuable insights its talented team can offer to benefit the UK and our planet.”

Simon will officially take over the role on 1 December 2024 but will attend a Met Office board meeting on 29 November as an observer.

The appointment of the Chair of the Met Office Board is made by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 14 November 2024.

Roll out of faster and more reliable 4G to reach thousands of businesses and households across rural Wales.

Rural towns and villages across Wales will benefit from faster, more reliable mobile coverage as 7 UK government funded mobile network upgrades are now switched on.

Today (14 November) the UK government is announcing that 7 4G mast upgrades in North, South West and West Wales have gone live, bringing reliable connectivity to thousands of residents, local businesses and community organisations.

Rural communities and businesses can face constant buffering and slow download speeds when performing basic tasks online due to outdated mobile connectivity networks. This holds back regional economic growth and can widen the digital divide between urban and rural communities.

Upgrades to existing mobile masts announced today will help close this gap in Wales, with parts of Bontddu, Llanelltyd, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Penmaenpool, Tabor, Snowdonia National Park and Bontgoch now covered by fast 4G internet. This will connect friends and family, help emergency services to save lives, tackle crime and boost productivity for local businesses – supporting the government’s missions to break down barriers to opportunities and boost economic growth.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

From applying for jobs to staying in touch with loved ones, fast and reliable connectivity is an essential part of modern life and should be the digital reality for communities from Llandudno to Cardiff, which is why the upgrades announced today are a welcome step forward.

But we cannot ignore the fact that millions of people need support when it comes to navigating the online world. That’s why this government is committed to boosting digital skills no matter people live, to support people accessing essential services like banking, or education tools, helping them to get on with their lives and work.

The rollout comes as Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant visit Ebbw Vale in South Wales today to discuss how the UK government can work with charities and businesses to tackle digital exclusion, ensuring more rural communities can access the benefits of being online.

The Secretary of State and Minister will visit BGfm – a local radio station and digital inclusion hub in Blaenau Gwent, supported by digital inclusion charity the Good Things Foundation – to hear additional ways the UK government help tackle the digital divide and support more members of the public to get online.

Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

We are working tirelessly to address the connectivity concerns of rural communities to make sure everyone has access to the opportunities of the online world.

These upgrades mean businesses aren’t constrained by the limits of their mobile signal, 999 services are better equipped to save lives and fight crime, and residents and tourists can get online whilst enjoying the Welsh countryside.

By focussing on bringing digital connectivity and access to communities in every corner of the UK, we will continue to break down barriers to opportunity and kickstart economic growth.

In 2023 an estimated 1.5 million homes in the UK did not have an internet connection, meaning they couldn’t easily access essential services like paying bills and checking bank statements. Bringing connectivity to rural areas is a crucial step to helping people get online.

The Shared Rural Network (SRN) – a joint programme between the UK government and mobile network operators – aims to tackle the gap with 26 government-funded mast upgrades now activated as part of the initiative. It follows the Chancellor confirming in last month’s Budget that the government will be investing over £500 million next year in driving the rollout of digital infrastructure to under-served parts of the UK.

This latest rollout across Wales marks another step towards improving mobile coverage in rural areas across the UK, essential to achieve the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. A total of 20 of these upgrades are based in Wales and more are planned in the coming months.

In August the government also signed a landmark agreement with Openreach to make around £170 million government investment available for them to deliver gigabit-capable broadband for around 70,000 Welsh hard-to-reach premises, including some in the most remote parts of the country from the South Wales Valleys to the Llyn Peninsula.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said:

Powered by UK government investment, 7 new sites in Wales now have fast and reliable mobile internet access in areas where many would previously struggle to even send a text message.

Connectivity is critical for everything in day-to-day life in rural Wales – from business to tourism, and particularly to ensure that emergency services can be contacted quickly and efficiently when they are needed.

This is an important step forward in our mission to kickstart the economy and unlock opportunity in rural areas across Wales.

The mobile connectivity boost announced today has been carried out by upgrading existing mobile masts which previously only connected EE customers and anyone making 999 calls, meaning communities can benefit from improved mobile internet access without the impacts of building new masts.

Ben Roome, CEO of Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited said:

With the activation of 7 new Shared Rural Network sites, Wales is seeing significant benefits from the Shared Rural Network programme, bringing enhanced connectivity and opportunities to its rural communities.

Notes to editors

The Shared Rural Network programme is on target to deliver the combined coverage target of 95% of the UK’s landmass by the end of 2025, with 94.9% of the UK now in range of 4G thanks to the programme (Source: Ofcom). Further coverage improvements in more hard-to-reach areas will continue to be delivered until early 2027. For more information visit the Shared Rural Network website.

Through the SRN programme, the UK government and the UK’s 4 mobile network operators aim to provide 4G coverage to an additional 280,000 premises and 16,000km of the UK’s roads. The programme also aims to improve 4G geographic coverage to 79% of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, up from 51% before the programme launched, and 74% of National Parks up from 41%, benefitting millions of visitors to rural areas every year.

The UK government is investing £184 million to upgrade Extended Area Service (EAS) masts to provide coverage from all four mobile operators. Currently, commercial coverage from EAS masts is only available from EE – the operator responsible for the Emergency Services Network.