Can the UK go it alone on AI?

Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong ask: should the UK have its own AI, independent of other countries?

While the US and China dominate AI, the UK sits in a distant third place. Nevertheless, it remains ahead of the rest of Europe, with the continent's most developed AI ecosystem. How can middle-ranking powers such as the UK assert AI sovereignty, ensure the technologies we use reflect our values and laws, and secure a fair share of the economic benefits of the AI revolution?

The UK has long been at the forefront of technological innovation, from Alan Turing laying the foundations of modern computing and artificial intelligence to Sir Demis Hassabis winning a Nobel Prize for AI-related breakthroughs. However, without the computing power and energy resources needed to support AI development, we risk losing our place in shaping how this transformative technology evolves.

We hear from Professor David Barber about his new SOFAIR AI lab, which aims to keep the UK in the running as a global AI innovator. Broderick McDonald explains the geopolitical implications of failing to maintain sufficient AI capacity on these shores, while Roa Powell, from the Institute for Public Policy Research, outlines the economic opportunities that could be lost if the UK fails to stand up to the industry's biggest players.

Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong
Producer: Peter McManus

The Artificial Human is a BBC Audio Scotland Production for Radio 4