Over £7 million awarded to help AI boost growth in UK

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

AI tools range from technology that predicts potholes before they form to AI models that help farmers make their dairy cows more productive.

The £7 million funding comes from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund, delivered by the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme.

It will help the 120 projects test potentially transformative AI technology across four high growth industry sectors which include agri-food, transport and logistics, construction, and creative industries.

Projects will see small to medium-sized enterprises and research organisations working together to solve pressing business challenges that include reducing food wastage, improving road infrastructure to increase safety, making buildings healthier for the people that live in them, and encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion at work.

On top of the monetary support, the BridgeAI programme supports businesses by allowing them to tap into training and scientific expertise. It also offers wider expert advice and guidance to develop their AI innovations.

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 funding is giving people the tools they need to harness the power of new technologies like AI, which will ultimately grow the economy and benefit everyone.

The funding aligns with the UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January, which sets out a comprehensive strategy to expand AI adoption across the economy.

“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.”

The projects announced by UKRI highlight how 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.

Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI Technology Missions Fund Senior Responsible Owner and Executive Director of Cross-Council programme at the 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 and Data Economy at 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.”