The UK’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector has entered a transformative phase with the official launch of the UK AI Industry Association (UKAI), a trade body established to represent and champion the nation’s growing AI ecosystem. At a Business Breakfast hosted by ServiceNow, the Minister for AI and Digital Government, Feryal Clark MP, outlined the Government’s ambitions for the sector ahead of the anticipated publication of the UK AI Opportunities Action Plan.
A Unified Voice for the UK AI Sector
As the nation’s only trade association dedicated solely to AI, UKAI aims to unite businesses, policymakers, investors, and academia under a shared vision. Its mission: to ensure the UK remains a global leader in artificial intelligence, fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and promoting the ethical use of AI technologies.
Minister Clark emphasised the Government’s commitment to AI as a cornerstone of the UK’s industrial strategy, stating: “We are very keen to use the potential of AI to transform public services and to ensure the UK is one of the best places to set up a business.”
The Government’s forthcoming AI Opportunities Action Plan will seek to place AI at the heart of economic growth and public service transformation. UKAI has been launched as a proactive partner to ensure the AI sector’s voice is heard and its full potential realised.
Founding Advisory Board Members Announced
To steer its work and amplify its impact, UKAI announced the appointment of three founding members to its Advisory Board. The board includes prominent figures from across politics and industry: former Shadow Secretary of State Thangam Debbonaire, former Minister of State for AI Matt Warman, and digital transformation expert Amir Malik. Together, they bring unparalleled experience and extensive networks across policy, industry, and technology.
Thangam Debbonaire, a former Labour MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, expressed her enthusiasm for the role, “AI is a big part of our present and an even bigger part of our future, as individuals, as a country, and as a world. I’m delighted to have been invited to join UKAI as an advisor and help to make AI a force for good in our lives and the world.”
Matt Warman, previously the Conservative MP for Boston and Skegness and Minister of State for AI, highlighted the sector’s urgency, “Britain’s on the cusp of an AI revolution – UKAI serves as a powerful voice for the industry to speak to government, investors, and the public.”
Amir Malik, Global Managing Director of Digital Transformation and AI at Alvarez and Marsal, underlined the UK’s unique position, “By leveraging its heritage as a world leader in technology innovation, capitalising on its booming AI startup industry, and underlining its reputation for pioneering regulatory fairness, the UK has the trifecta of capabilities required to lead the charge on AI.”
A Vision for AI Leadership
Speaking at a UKAI event at the House of Lords earlier this week, Tim Flagg, UKAI’s COO, framed the association’s launch as a defining moment for the UK’s AI sector, “The Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan will fire the starting pistol for the next phase of growth for our industry. UKAI is here to ensure the sector’s voice is heard, its potential realised, and its leadership on the global stage secured.”
The association’s leadership team, comprising co-founders Tim Flagg, Ben Howlett, and Dominic Endicott, reflects its mission to unite the business, government, and investor communities. By fostering collaboration across these spheres, UKAI aims to build a future-ready AI ecosystem that encourages innovation, cultivates talent, and maintains ethical standards.
Positioning the UK as a Global AI Leader
The establishment of UKAI comes at a critical juncture as the UK AI sector emerges as a driver of national economic growth. With established relationships across Westminster, Whitehall, and regional authorities, UKAI is positioned to provide strategic feedback and support for the implementation of the Government’s AI Action Plan.
The association’s commitment extends beyond economic objectives, advocating for policies that balance innovation with regulatory fairness. By championing the ethical development of AI and engaging the public, UKAI aims to secure the UK’s reputation as a pioneer in both AI innovation and governance.
About UKAI
UKAI represents businesses of all sizes in the AI sector, including tech startups, scale-ups, and non-tech organisations harnessing AI to enhance operations. The association provides a unified voice for the sector, working closely with policymakers to ensure government strategies reflect the needs of AI businesses. UKAI is also dedicated to addressing challenges such as infrastructure, talent development, and public engagement, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of global AI leadership. For further information or media enquiries, visit www.ukai.co.
For More Information Contact: Tim Flagg – tim.flagg@ukai.co.
For more political insight, updates, and discussion, make sure to sign up to Chamber UK’s newsletter.