Innovate UK has unveiled BridgeAI, a new programme which aims to drive growth and competitiveness in the UK economy through the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning.聽聽
The 拢100m investment comes partly from Innovate UK & the Technologies Mission Fund, and will bring together businesses from priority sectors with AI experts and developers to foster an AI innovation network in the UK.
“The BridgeAI programme marks a significant investment in UK business,鈥� said Will Drury, executive director, digital and technology at Innovate UK. 鈥淲e aim to unlock the untapped potential of AI and drive greater productivity and efficiency across key sectors.聽
鈥淏y nurturing AI innovation at the grassroots level, we’re confident that this programme will enable thousands of businesses to add even greater value to the UK economy and compete more effectively on the global stage.”
The programme will focus on businesses in sectors with high growth potential such as agriculture, construction, transportation, and creative industries, to help them enhance productivity and efficiency through AI. These four sectors have been identified as industries which showed high potential for transformation, alongside currently low AI adoption rates.
Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).聽
BridgeAI will be delivered in collaboration with a network of strategic delivery partners which share Innovate UK鈥檚 commitment to increasing the adoption and responsible implementation of AI. Key partners include Digital Catapult, Hartree Centre (STFC) 鈥� both part of the Innovate UK system 鈥� and the Alan Turing Institute.
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The upcoming competition is 鈥楩easibility Studies for AI Solutions鈥�, which will invest up to 拢5 million in short-term (4-6 month) AI innovation projects. The competition is targeted at UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprises in the agriculture, construction, transportation, and creative industries.聽
Awards will be granted to applications that demonstrate how they can address business challenges and opportunities to drive an increase in productivity using AI, in collaboration with an AI developer or academic organisation. Successful grant applicants can receive up to 拢50,000 and applications close on 25th May 2023.
鈥淎s we see large companies reap the rewards of adopting AI, it’s even more important to ensure that lower AI maturity UK sectors get the support they need to benefit from the economic and social benefits this technology brings,鈥� Tabitha Goldstaub, chair of the AI Council, said.聽
鈥淏y building innovation networks to stimulate both the demand and supply side, I’m excited to see the potential BridgeAI has to turbo charge those industries that are often left behind.鈥�