Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of support programmes available to small and medium-sized enterprises for AI adoption; and what steps they are taking to improve productivity, innovation and regional economic development.

We are committed to ensuring the UK is the leading adopter of AI in the G7, and the Government will look at how regulation, data and access to finance can support adoption including by working closely with sectoral AI Champions to identify new solutions. Upskilling is a crucial way to ensure the UK workforce can capitalise on the opportunities of AI. To support this, the Government has launched the AI Skills Boost campaign to upskill 10 million workers in AI skills by 2030.

We are ensuring that UK businesses can access the guidance and expertise they need to adopt AI and drive transformational growth. We are expanding Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme across our Industrial Strategy sectors and have launched the Centre for AI-Driven Innovation in Imperial College London in partnership with the World Economic Forum. Each AI Growth Zone will also receive £5 million to go towards local AI adoption and upskilling.