Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

In this edition of the DSIT Download we explore the measures announced in the Budget, in which the Chancellor announced £20.4 billion in investment for UK R&D to drive economic growth.

The GOV.UK website attracts over 11 million users per week. We’re trialling a new AI chatbot on GOV.UK to help people set up small businesses and find support more easily. This is one way we’re using new technology to improve government services, saving time spent searching. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/en4eGrNk

📢 New Report - 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐔𝐊 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 techUK is excited to announce the release of its latest report highlighting the crucial role of the data centres sector as the backbone of the UK's digital economy! Commissioned by techUK and developed by Henham Strategy, the report demonstrates just how significant a contribution data centres make to the UK economy, and what more can be done to sustain this infrastructure and support their growth 📈 🔦The report also shines a light on the impact data centres make in the nations and regions, and shares lessons from data centre development in West London and Slough, Greater Manchester, Cardiff and Newport. 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: https://lnkd.in/eUiw5pBa Julian David | Matthew Evans | Luisa Cardani | Matt Robinson | Teodora K. | Weronika Dorociak | Neil Ross | Alice Jackson | Margherita Certo ______ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 5𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: https://lnkd.in/efBY_-j7 techUK thanks this report’s sponsors alongside all techUK members, the techUK Data Centre Council – comprised of twenty senior business leaders representing the full spectrum of interests of the sector, wider industry, and the representatives of national and regional governments who have contributed their time. _______ 🌱 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 🌍 https://lnkd.in/eR6Q4N3c #datacentres #economicgrowth #digitaleconomy #Foundationsforthefuture

The Molecular Science Building at the University of Birmingham will allow over 500 scientists to carry out research in vital industries like energy, healthcare and the environment. Secretary of State Peter Kyle opened the new facility earlier this week, where he received a tour of the laboratories and met with local businesses and researchers to discuss science in the West Midlands.

"We are in a golden age of cancer research." From using AI to help beat cancer, to their famous charity shops – hear from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) CEO Michelle Mitchell OBE for the latest on Cancer Research UK. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eEKraiYR

The Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves has backed UK R&D with a record £20.4 billion investment at Budget.   These investments, including £70 million for the new Life Sciences Manufacturing Fund and £25 million for the R&D Missions Fund, underscore the importance of science and technology in driving economic growth, raising living standards and funding public services - to position the UK at the forefront of global innovation and progress.   Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKpbbnTu

The Data Bill will unlock the power of data to improve public services, make peoples’ lives easier and grow the economy.   It will:   👩⚕️ make patients’ data more easily transferrable across health services and save 140,000 hours of NHS time each year.   📈 grow the UK economy by £400m through the National Underground Asset Register every year, reducing accidents and hazards on our streets.   👮 save 1.5 million policing hours, the equivalent to around £42.8 million each year, by cutting down admin so the police can spend more time fighting crime.   Find out more 🔽 https://lnkd.in/eu-EktYy

🚨 Final Reminder! 🚨 Only 2 days left to apply for the Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship. The deadline is fast approaching on 31 October. This is your last chance to join a unique programme designed to enhance your skills in identifying and deploying capital into high-potential, scalable life science and deep tech ventures. Delivered by Imperial College London and the Royal Academy of Engineering, this Fellowship offers tailored teaching, hands-on learning, and exclusive networking opportunities. 📅 Apply by 31 October - programme starts 25 November 2024. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eeT3j7a2 Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to shape the future of deep tech and life sciences investment. #STVCF #VentureCapital #DeepTech #LifeSciences #Investment #Fellowship #Innovation

A man who used a computer programme and AI technology to alter photographs of real children to create sexual abuse images, and encouraged the rape of children via the internet, has been jailed today. Hugh Nelson, 27, has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment at Bolton Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to a total of 16 charges relating to child sexual abuse offences. The Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted Nelson following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police. Jeanette Smith, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: “It is extremely disturbing that Hugh Nelson was able to take normal photographs of children and, using AI tools and a computer programme, transform them and create images of the most depraved nature to sell and share online. “Through his online discussions with other like-minded individuals, Nelson also exchanged messages with the intention of encouraging adults to inflict horrifying sexual abuse on young children, all for his own sexual gratification. “Technology is rapidly evolving and, unfortunately, so too is its risk to children. I hope this conviction sends a clear message to those who exploit this technology and inflict harm on children: you will be robustly pursued by law enforcement, prosecuted by the CPS and brought to justice.” Read more ➡️ https://orlo.uk/vrlK0

Secretary of State Peter Kyle made his first official visit to America to promote investment into the UK and strengthen partnerships with leading technology companies. The first leg of the trip took him to Seattle, to meet with Microsoft and Amazon where he set out the UK’s approach to technology. He also saw cutting-edge bioscience at the Allen Institute and talked about collaboration on synthetic biology. In San Francisco, he discussed AI innovation opportunities and online safety with leading tech companies Apple, Anthropic, Google, Meta, OpenAI and NVIDIA, and visited startup accelerator Y Combinator to see how they support and scale innovative deep tech start-ups like Lumen Orbit (YC S24) and Conductor Quantum , before experiencing AI in action with a ride in a Waymo autonomous vehicle. His trip to San Francisco also included a visit to Berkeley Lab to see how their Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Development Unit helps early-stage companies develop their concepts into commercial products. This will drive UK policy thinking on engineering biology infrastructure critical to the bioeconomy. Investment is key to the growth of science and technology in the UK. The recent International Investment Summit saw four major US-based tech firms announce the UK will be the home for their data infrastructure, worth a total of £6.3 billion. AI investment is also growing: in January to July 2024, investment into the UK AI sector was greater than the entirety of 2023. This investment will help to grow the UK economy, boost science and technology, and improve public services, helping to improve lives for people across the country.