Dame Wendy Hall to lead major review of Artificial Intelligence in the UK

Professor Dame Wendy Hall is to lead a major UK government review on how to capitalise on the country’s status as a world-leader in the science underpinning Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

Dame Wendy, recently appointed Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University, will jointly lead the review of the AI sector with Jérôme Pesenti, CEO of BenevolentTech and a world-leading pioneer in the commercialisation of AI.

The review will consider how Government and industry could work together to better support this technology and further grow the sector, from early research to commercialisation. Estimates suggest that AI could add in the region of £654 billion to the UK economy by 2035.

Supported by the departments of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Culture, Media and Sport, the review is part of the government’s new Digital Strategy published today (1 March 2017). The Strategy builds on plans set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy to capitalise on Britain’s existing strengths and back new technologies in areas where the UK can take a lead.

Dame Wendy said: "Our scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs are at the forefront of the development of artificial intelligence and I’m looking forward to exploring how industry and government can work together to support the technology in the UK."

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley added: "Technologies like AI have the potential to transform how we live, work, travel and learn, and I am pleased that Professor Dame Wendy Hall and Jérôme Pesenti will be leading this review. It’s great that Government and industry will be working together to drive growth in the sector, to realise all the economic and social benefits for the UK."