“Innovation is at the heart of our Industrial Strategy,” says business secretary Greg Clark, “by investing in dynamic fields such as robotics and AI, we will help put the UK at the forefront of global innovation.”

HMG says that Accenture has estimated AI could add in the region of £654 billion ($814 billion) to the UK economy by 2035

Details of the support strategy are due to published by Culture Secretary Karen Bradley MP on Wednesday (March 1).

AI was identified as one of the technologies that could be supported through the Government’s new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and the Challenger Business Programme.

The Digital Strategy’s proposals are expected to include:

An AI review led by Wendy Hall and Jérôme Pesenti to identify the critical elements for the exciting technology to thrive and grow in the UK. It will consider how Government and industry could work together to back this technology, which could inform a sector deal.

Government is also expected to confirm a funding boost of £17.3m from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to support the development of new Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (RAI) technologies in universities across the UK.

The moves are part of the strategy’s ambition for Britain to build on areas of strength and develop a global lead in technologies, including cyber security, connected and smart devices, autonomous vehicles as well as AI. These technologies will drive future economic growth and productivity across the economy.