Powering Britain’s AI Revolution: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward
Experts discuss the UK's AI future, global competition, and strategies to unlock growth and efficiency
The United Kingdom stands at a critical juncture in the global race for artificial intelligence (AI). With the United States and China leading the charge and France making significant investments to challenge Britain's position as Europe's AI leader, the country must act decisively to maintain its standing.
The UK government's AI Action Plan outlines a strategy for AI-driven growth and innovation. Still, concerns remain: Does the UK have the resources, vision, and execution power to turn ambition into reality?
At Tech Show London on March 12, 2025, a high-profile panel discussion at ExCeL London brought together industry leaders to explore these questions.
Moderated by researcher and broadcaster Stephanie Hare, the discussion featured Sue Daley, Director of Technology and Innovation at techUK, and Baroness Joanna Shields, Founder and CEO of PreCognition. The panel tackled the biggest challenges facing the UK's AI sector, debated the effectiveness of government policy, and outlined a path forward for businesses and policymakers.
The Global AI Race and the UK's Position
France has pledged €109 billion to invest in AI, with the EU backing it up with another €200 billion. Meanwhile, Germany has committed €500 billion to AI and broader technological advancements. Can the UK compete with these staggering figures?
“Significant investment is being announced by the French and the EU,” said Sue Daley. “And look, there's no complacency—it's a global race. The UK serves the world, and that's a crown we want to hang on to.”
But Daley stressed that money alone isn’t the determining factor in AI leadership.
“This is about focus, about having a vision and a strategy. The Prime Minister announced on January 13 the UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. It’s ambitious, but it lays out a clear roadmap: how do we build the right infrastructure, capacity, and foundations so that AI can thrive here?”
Shields pointed out a shift in the AI landscape that could work in the UK's favor.
“We had a big leveling event with DeepSeek,” she said, referencing an open-source AI model from China. “It proved that you don’t need access to massive amounts of computing power to build high-quality models. The playing field is leveling, and it’s an opportunity for the UK to develop domain-specific models in our strategic industries—biotech, fintech, and the creative industries.”
techUK is a trade association that brings together businesses, government bodies, and other stakeholders to drive technological innovation and policy discussions. It advocates for digital transformation across industries, ensuring the UK remains competitive in the global technology market.
PreCognition was founded by Shields with the vision of harnessing AI for the greater good. The company ensures that AI is implemented safely and responsibly, addressing pressing issues such as regulation, governance, and the ethical deployment of advanced AI systems.
Shields continues to advocate for AI-driven progress through her roles with the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of AI, the Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity, and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Unlocking Growth and Overcoming Barriers
The UK faces a paradox: despite AI’s potential to boost productivity, growth remains sluggish. With limited state investment, can the private sector drive AI adoption at scale?
“AI can completely reinvent how we do things,” said Shields. “Look at the US—they’re making drastic changes in government efficiency. But you can’t just smash the existing system without a plan. The UK needs to focus on reinventing how government interacts with citizens and how AI can improve public services like the NHS.”
Daley emphasized the importance of adoption.
“It’s not just about cutting-edge technology; it’s about making AI work in everyday industries—retail, logistics, healthcare, even hairdressing. AI isn’t just for big tech firms; it can transform small businesses, too. The challenge is helping leaders understand its value,” she said.
Addressing Public Concerns
One of the biggest concerns surrounding AI adoption is its impact on jobs. Shields acknowledged the fear but stressed the need for adaptation.
She said, “We have to embrace change. AI will make some tasks redundant, but it will also create opportunities. The key is retraining and ensuring people have the skills to add value beyond what AI can do.”
Daley agreed, emphasizing the human element.
“AI should not be something that happens to people; it should be done with them. We need to bring employees along on this journey and ensure AI is used to enhance their work rather than replace them,” she said.
One of the UK’s AI Action Plan initiatives is the creation of AI growth zones. These regions would be dedicated to AI research, development, and deployment, fostering innovation and attracting talent.
“It’s a really positive idea,” said Daley. “But what does an AI growth zone look like? It can’t just be a data center—it needs to be a full ecosystem with universities, apprenticeships, and industry partnerships. Success will depend on how well we integrate AI into the local economy.”
Shields added, “The UK has a rich industrial heritage. AI growth zones should build on regional strengths—financial services in London, biotech in Cambridge, or manufacturing in the Midlands. We need to make sure every region benefits from AI, not just a select few.”
The Path Forward
For AI to truly transform society, it must be accessible to everyone.
Shields proposed a radical approach: “If I were in government, I’d negotiate a national AI license for the UK. Give every student access to AI tools in schools. Let people use AI to explore and learn in their own way. This technology is empowering, but we have to make it available to all.”
Daley echoed the need for education and public engagement. “We’re at a stage similar to when the internet first emerged. People are still figuring out what AI means for them. We need to demystify it, show real-world use cases, and ensure businesses and individuals feel confident using it.”
Collaboration between government, industry, and academia will be crucial as the UK navigates its AI future. Investment is important, but so is strategy, vision, and execution. The AI Action Plan provides a starting point, but its success will depend on widespread adoption and a commitment to making AI work for everyone.
“We’re not starting from scratch,” said Daley. “The UK is already a leader in AI. Now it’s about scaling that success, filling in the gaps, and making sure AI benefits businesses, workers, and society as a whole.”
Shields concluded with a call to action. “This is for everyone. AI isn’t just for tech elites—it’s a tool that can empower people from all backgrounds. We need to reduce the barriers, increase accessibility, and ensure that the AI revolution truly benefits all of society.”