UKRI launches first-ever AI Research and Innovation Strategy

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has published its first-ever AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework and signalled major targeted funding and programmatic support to put AI to work for the UK’s science and research base.

• Main announcement: UKRI will implement a new AI Research and Innovation Strategy backed by a record £1.6 billion of funding directly targeted at the AI sector between now and the end of the decade (2026–2030); the strategy focuses on six priority areas (technology development; transforming research through AI; AI skills and talent; accelerating innovation; responsible AI; AI data and infrastructure) and commits to investments in mathematics, computer science, engineering, skills, and infrastructure to translate research into impact.
• Background and concrete details: The strategy will deliver specific investments including up to £137 million as part of DSIT’s AI for Science programme (starting with drug discovery and new treatments) and £36 million to upgrade the University of Cambridge’s DAWN supercomputer; it references existing UKRI-backed projects (RADARAI, IXI Brain Atlas) and previously announced DSIT investments (AI for Science announced Nov 2025; DAWN upgrade announced Jan 2026).