Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the readiness of UK businesses to adopt fourth industrial revolution technologies, in particular (a) machine learning and (b) the Internet of Things.

The UK economy has key strengths that will enable businesses to adopt industrial digitalisation technologies, such as a world-leading research and innovation system, pioneering firms in manufacturing servitisation, and the strongest artificial intelligence and machine learning market in Europe. Through a modern industrial strategy the Government is seeking to build upon these strengths. For example, the Digital Strategy outlines ways to make Britain the best place to start and grow a digital business, trial new technology, or undertake advanced research. We are also taking action to improve digital capability skills.

However, we also recognise the challenges businesses face. BEIS is currently considering the independent government commissioned review led by Professor Dame Wendy Hall, and Jerome Pesenti “Growing the Artificial Intelligence Industry in the UK” and has announced £68 million for ground breaking research and development in robotics and artificial intelligence. We are also in the early stages of reviewing the recently published, industry-led ‘Made Smarter’ report, which considers barriers to adoption of digital technologies including machine learning and Internet of Things. We will continue to work with business to overcome barriers and realise the opportunities of the fourth Industrial Revolution.