Artificial intelligence to 'deliver a decade of national renewal' – including improving roads

The AI plan mainlines AI into the veins of the nation – revolutionising public services, says Government

AI is to drive the Government's Plan for Change, helping turbocharge growth and boost living standards, says the Government. In a marked move from the previous government’s approach, the Prime Minister is throwing the full weight of Whitehall behind this industry by agreeing to take forward all 50 recommendations set out by Matt Clifford in his game-changing AI Opportunities Action Plan. Using AI and cameras to spot potholes and help improve roads is one of the key Government's ambitions.

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AI will help with:

• public sector to spend less time doing admin and more time delivering the services working people rely on

• dedicated AI Growth Zones to speed up planning for AI infrastructure

• £14 billion and 13,250 jobs committed by private leading tech firms following AI Action Plan

Find out more about AI readiness in the transport sector

AI is already being used across the UK. AI-powered scans can help doctors detect disease earlier. AI can cut NHS waiting lists by scheduling better appointments. It allows teachers to personalise their lessons to their children’s needs.

It can support small businesses with their record-keeping, spot potholes more quickly, and help speed up planning applications. Indeed, right across our public services, it offers frontline staff the precious gift of time. A chance to reconnect with the human, face-to-face aspects of their job, which I know is something that attracts so many people to public service in the first place.

Backing AI to the hilt can also lead to more money in the pockets of working people, says thge Government.  The IMF estimates that – if AI is fully embraced – it can boost productivity by as much as 1.5 percentage points a year. If fully realised, these gains could be worth up to an average £47 billion to the UK each year over a decade.

The AI plan mainlines AI into the veins of this enterprising nation – revolutionising our public services and putting more money in people’s back pockets. Because for too long we have allowed blockers to control the public discourse and get in the way of growth in this sector.

The plan puts an end to that by introducing new measures that will create dedicated AI Growth Zones that speed up planning permission and give them the energy connections they need to power up AI.

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: 'Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people.

'But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race.

'Our plan will make Britain the world leader. It will give the industry the foundation it needs and will turbocharge the Plan for Change. That means more jobs and investment in the UK, more money in people’s pockets, and transformed public services.'