On Monday 13th Jan, the UK government unveiled a plan to strengthen the country’s role in developing and deploying artificial intelligence. Read our CTO, Angus Gow's, thoughts on the announcement and the potential impact on small businesses.
The UK is at a turning point when it comes to artificial intelligence. We've got a history of being tech trailblazers, and we're pretty good at innovating. But if we want to stay ahead, there are some big challenges we need to tackle. Here's a quick look at what's holding us back and why it matters for small businesses.
Right now, the UK's tech setup isn't cutting it. We're missing out on key things like high-powered data centres, and even basic stuff like mobile data coverage can be spotty - in places it definitely shouldn't be. Without these essentials, it's harder for businesses to use AI to its full potential. For small businesses, this means slower progress and missed opportunities to compete with bigger players.
The UK has amazing AI talent, but we're losing it to countries like the US where the funding and opportunities are better. At the same time, businesses here often bring in cheaper labour instead of growing local skills. For small business owners, this could mean struggling to find affordable, skilled professionals who understand AI and can help implement it.
The UK is great at supporting start-ups, but when it's time for those businesses to grow, the money just isn't there. In the US, companies get the funding they need to scale, but here, many hit a wall. For small business owners, this makes it tough to grow, expand, or adopt new technologies like AI that could make a huge difference.
AI adoption in the UK is all over the place. Some industries are making progress, but in others, like government services, it's slow and clunky. Small businesses could benefit hugely from AI tools that save time and boost productivity, but right now, those tools aren't widely available or easy to access.
The US and China are leading the AI game with massive investments. Instead of trying to copy them, the UK could focus on what we're already good at, like designing AI chips. For small businesses, this could mean more affordable, practical AI solutions that actually fit their needs.
If the UK gets this right, it could open up a world of opportunities for small businesses. Imagine being able to use affordable AI tools to save time, streamline operations, or reach more customers. But for that to happen, we need:
The good news? The UK has what it takes to lead the way. But we need bold moves and smart investments to make it happen. For small business owners, this could mean a brighter future with more opportunities to thrive.
