LONDON, Feb. 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* First-ever AI Strategy for UK Research and Innovation(UKRI) marks bold plan to make AI deliver for UK'scutting-edgescience and research efforts, supporting breakthroughs from health to clean energy and beyond * AI ambitions for UK's largest public research funder backed by record £1.6 billion,directly targeted atthe AI sector between now and the end of the decade * From screening for cancer to harnessing clean energy,research and innovation is critical to making AI work for good: a key theme of this year's AI Impact Summit

AI will be put to work to transformcutting-edgeresearch into innovations thatbenefitus all - from better healthcare and new public services tocutting edgeproducts.

The UK's largest public research funderUKRIhas set out its first-ever plan to put AI to work forthe nation's world-leading innovators today (Thursday 19 February)- buildingonthe UK'shistoricstrengths infieldslike computingand agentic AI.

UKRI-backed work on AI is already making a difference across society and the economy - from the world-leading RADAR AI system that detects faults on the railway network in real time, to theIXI Brain Atlaswhich is supporting more than 40 clinical trials into degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's by helping to analyse brain scans.

In the recent Spending Review settlement, UKRI committed a record £1.6 billion of funding directly targeted at the AI sector over the next 4 years, its biggest single investment area for 2026 to 2030.This includes funding for specific activity that UKRI will deliver on behalf of  the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) - which is subject to change as delivery plans are finalised.It alsosits alongside significantadditionalAI investment woven through the broader UKRI budget.

The newstrategy signals UKRI's intention to make major investments in mathematics, computer science and engineering research which underpin AIexpertise. World-class researchers and businesses across the UK willalsobenefitfrom better access to the right tools,trainingand infrastructure to unlock new growth acrossthe UK. This will help bringto life innovations that make people's lives better - a key theme of the India AI Impact Summit which continues this week.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who is leading the UK delegation at the India AI Impact Summit, said:

The UK is backing its pioneering AI leadership with more than £1.6 billion in investment to make sure the best of British expertise develops the next wave of AI innovations. Together we are turning potential into progress and that's the ambition I am bringing to the AI Summit in India this week.

From spotting cancers earlier to cutting backlogs in public services, new research into AI will be a game-changer, bringing the promise of tomorrow's technologies to the UK today.

UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said:

The potential of combining our AIexpertisewith our peerless R&D community is agame-changer.Thisplan willharnessAI toaccelerate both the pace and possibility of scientific endeavour.

We are already seeing AI change the game forwhat'spossible in fieldsfrom health,to energy, and beyond.Boldly backing this technology ishow we push our Great British innovators to furthersuccess, andbuild a path to breakthroughs that boost our health,wealth, andwellbeing.

The strategyalsocommits to expanding doctoral and fellowship routes co-designed with businesses.It willalsosupport recognisedcareer frameworks for research software engineers, datascientistsand ethics specialists- supporting the high-paying jobs of the future.

AI is one of the central growth sectors in the UK's industrial strategy. UKRI's plan will turn the UK's scientific excellence into economic advantage by supporting regional clusters, creating newjobsand backing technologies with high-growth potential.

Professor Charlotte Deane, Senior Responsible Owner for the UKRI AI Programme and Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said:

The UK has deep strengths in AI. From the country of Alan Turing and Ada Lovelace, we have a world-class tradition in mathematics and computer science. This strategy will turn that research excellence into national advantage.

To do that, we must make bold choices in areas where the UK can genuinely lead the world. UKRI will playa central rolein backing the full innovation pathway from fundamental research to prototypes to scale-up.

By uniting universities, businesses, industry and government we can unlock the potential we have long had but have not yet fully mobilised.

Areas of focus

Under the new strategic framework, investment will focus on 6 priority areas:

* advancing technology development * transforming research through AI * developing AI skills and talent * accelerating innovation for economic growth and societal benefit * championing responsible and trustworthy AI * building world-class AI data and infrastructure

Central to UKRI's plan is building a strong research and innovation communitywhich will support them with the skills they need to become theAI leadersof the future.

UKRI-backed AI research is already making a difference to everyday life, from the world's first system spotting railway faults before they cause delays to a tool detecting online harm to keep us safe. In healthcare, AI-powered brain imaging is helping toidentifyearly signs of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Now UKRI is now putting its weight behind AI. Under the new strategy, it will help to deliver:

* up to £137 million as part of DSIT's AI for Science Strategy to back AI-enabled scientific discovery starting with drug discovery and new treatments * £36 million to upgrade the University of Cambridge's "DAWN" supercomputer supporting breakthroughs in areas like healthcare and environmental modelling.

Today's AI is built on decades of curiosity-driven research across mathematics, computer science,neuroscienceand linguistics.

The strategy will create an environment where discovery-led research continues to thrive. It will simplify programmes and remove barriers, supporting researchers through the journey from fundamental research to prototypes to scale-up.

Notes to editors

The full UKRI AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework.

The strategy builds on UKRI's 2021 "Transforming our World with AI" document and responds to technological advances since the 2019/20 UKRI AI review.

The following investments referenced in this announcement were previously announced and will be deliveredthroughUKRI's new strategy: AI for Science:up to £137 million to back AI-enabled scientific discovery, starting with drug discovery and new treatments. This investment was announced as part of DSIT's AI for Science Strategy in November 2025.

DAWN supercomputer upgrade:£36 million to upgrade the University of Cambridge's DAWN supercomputer, supporting breakthroughs in healthcare, environmental modelling, and other research areas. This investment was announced in January 2026.

UKRI investment has already demonstrated the transformative potential of AI investment across critical areas.

Protecting our rail infrastructure

RADAR has transformed railway safety with a world leading AI system that detects overhead line faults in real time and automatically prevents damage. Now deployed across UK networks and attracting international interest

Helping us stay safe online 

Nisien.ai secured significant investment in March 2025 to develop Hero Detect, an AI tool that detects and classifies online harms in real-time whilst fostering safer communities without excessive censorship

Safeguarding our interests

AHRC BRAID fellows are embedded directly into government departments including DSIT, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Ofcom and Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF), working on crucial areas from AI regulation and safety to intellectual property and public trust in AI-generated information. The fellows are co-funded by the British Academy

Detecting disease earlier

The IXI Brain Atlas uses AI and quantitative image analysis toidentifyover 150 brain structures with microscopic precision. Already used in 10,000+ patient visits across 40+ clinical trials for Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.