The Government unveiled a major AI investment package designed to protect the UK from emerging AI threats while strengthening Britain’s own technology industry.
The package includes hundreds of millions of pounds for cyber defence, biological threat detection and independent AI safety research.
The main measures were:
1. Biological threat protection — £165 million
A new AI Biosecurity Lab will use AI to detect and monitor biological threats. A further £65 million will support biological surveillance and medical countermeasures against priority pathogens.
2. Stronger cyber defences — £130 million
£60 million will fund a National Cyber Shield using AI to improve protection against cyber-attacks. Another £70 million will establish a National Exposure and Real-Time Vulnerability Centre to find weaknesses in critical infrastructure and other systems.
3. Independent AI safety testing — £120 million
Additional funding for the AI Security Institute will help researchers test advanced AI models, understand their capabilities and risks, and develop technical standards to reduce potential harm.
4. Greater UK technological independence
Funding will support British AI companies, advanced chip-design skills and domestic research, reducing reliance on technology developed overseas.
Reacting to the Government’s plans, Kate Shoesmith, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is a strong package of measures to support the UK’s AI resilience and spread its benefits more widely in every postcode. We are already home to some of the most innovative businesses in the world for developing AI models, but they face barriers to scale.
“More funding for the Sovereign AI Fund should strengthen the cohorts of the UK’s home-grown talent, while a new UK Advanced Chip Design Academy is a step towards bolstering capability and resilience.
“Taking a pragmatic approach to some of the challenges of AI by building on our leading role in its safety is essential. This includes investment in the AI Security Institute and the National AI Biosecurity Initiative.
“Alongside funding to improve understanding of AI’s impact on the workforce, these measures should unlock AI innovation at home, while also leading the world on safety.
“But we must not stop here. AI offers huge opportunities for businesses. Our research shows adoption is growing rapidly among firms, but it is at varying degrees and sectoral differences remain. Government should now look to address barriers to AI adoption to unlock growth across all firms.”
Jordan Cummins, CBI UK competitiveness director, said: “The Chancellor is right to put security, resilience and trust at the heart of the UK’s approach to AI. Firms will adopt AI faster and at greater scale when they are confident that it is safe, secure and working in the interests of their workforce.
“Investment in the AI Economics Institute and local AI partnerships is a welcome commitment to making sure those benefits reach every community. The prize now is to close the gap between ambition and execution, turning the UK’s strengths in AI into adoption at scale across every firm, sector and part of the country.
“Making AI work across the UK will depend on business and government delivering together. Business stands ready to work with the government on the detail and implementation so that this investment can reach firms on the ground.
“New routes into specialist AI, cyber and chip-design skills are welcome, and the next priority is to broaden AI skills across the whole workforce. If we really want to leverage AI to boost productivity and living standards, then we need to build people’s confidence to use AI well and help them to better understand the benefits it brings.”
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