London, 13 January 2025
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street, and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Introduction: A New Era of Opportunity
Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a compelling speech this morning on the AI Opportunities Action Plan, underscoring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in Britain.
The Defining Opportunity of Our Generation
Two years ago, Deb Kelly, a prison officer and PE instructor, faced a life-threatening stroke. The swift action of her son, combined with the power of AI, saved her life. Doctors used AI to locate the blood clot with precision, completing the procedure in under three minutes—a testament to the life-saving power of this technology.
This is not a story of the distant future. It is a story of today, showcasing AI as a force already reshaping lives in Britain. From revolutionizing stroke care to enhancing diagnostics in hospitals, AI is at the forefront of transformative change.
Unleashing AI’s Potential Across Society
AI presents an unprecedented opportunity to turbocharge growth, create future-ready companies, and radically improve public services. Examples abound:
- Education: Tailoring lesson plans to individual student needs.
- Healthcare: Reducing waiting times and predicting no-shows to optimize appointments.
- Infrastructure: Spotting potholes faster and accelerating planning applications.
- Public Services: Cutting down paperwork for social workers, freeing them to focus on people.
This is not without challenges, but the potential is too great to ignore. AI has already reshaped biology through breakthroughs like DeepMind’s advancements in protein folding, opening doors to personalized medicine and early disease prevention.
Britain as a Global AI Leader
The global race to lead in AI is underway. Britain faces a pivotal question: will we be a maker or a taker of AI? The stakes are high, with trillions of pounds in investment and the jobs of tomorrow at risk.
We must ensure Britain is the destination of choice for AI innovators and entrepreneurs. Data centers in the North-East, technology hubs in the North-West, and robotics in the South-West represent the tangible outcomes of our ambitions.
Values-Driven Technological Leadership
Britain’s role in AI must reflect its open, democratic values. The benefits of this technology should extend to all, not just the elite. Government cannot be neutral; we must actively shape this future, ensuring Britain remains a superpower in AI development.
Our legacy as the birthplace of modern computing inspires our ambition. Names like Babbage, Lovelace, and Turing remind us of what is possible when innovation meets determination.
Pro-Growth, Pro-Innovation Policy
Our Industrial Strategy places AI at its heart. Key actions include:
- AI Growth Zones: Revitalizing innovation hubs, such as Culham in Oxfordshire.
- Regulatory Reform: Creating a pro-growth, science-based regulatory environment.
- Talent Development: Expanding high-potential visa routes and boosting STEM education.
We are committed to building the infrastructure and expertise needed for AI leadership, from grid connections to a National Data Library.
AI for Public Services
The transformative power of AI extends beyond the private sector. It can revolutionize public services by streamlining operations, enhancing efficiency, and improving outcomes. From reducing paperwork to enabling life-saving innovations, AI reconnects public service workers with their mission to serve people.
This is not without risks, but the greater danger lies in hesitating while others advance. Britain must embrace the bold mindset of entrepreneurs, taking calculated risks to unlock AI’s full potential.
A Call to Action
AI is Britain’s defining opportunity. It can secure growth, raise living standards, and create exciting new businesses, all while transforming public services for the better.
Our history as the cradle of industrial innovation inspires us to act. Future generations should look back on this moment with pride, knowing we embraced the promise of AI and harnessed it for the good of our nation.
Thank you very much.
Source – UK Government
AI Opportunities Action Plan
Recommendations for the government to capture the opportunities of AI to enhance growth and productivity and create tangible benefits for UK citizens.
From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Published: 13 January 2025
Documents
Details
The AI Opportunities Action Plan, led by Matt Clifford CBE, tech entrepreneur and Chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).
This document has 50 recommendations for government to:
- grow the UK’s AI sector
- drive adoption of AI across the economy to boost growth
- improve products and services
Read the government response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
The AI Opportunities Action Plan is a roadmap for government to capture the opportunities of AI to enhance growth and productivity and create tangible benefits for UK citizens. Read the terms of reference here.
Published 13 January 2025