Innovating the Future: A Comprehensive Look at the Inaugural AI Opportunities Action Plan Forum
On 28 January 2025, London’s Phoenix Court played host to an unprecedented gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators at the inaugural AI Opportunities Action Plan Forum. Hosted by Evident, Next Economy Trust, Phoenix Court Works, and their partners, the forum set out to explore how the United Kingdom can leverage artificial intelligence to shape a more competitive and innovative future. The event was structured around six key workstreams, each addressing a critical facet of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Infrastructure: Building a Robust Backbone
Participants underscored that a modern infrastructure must serve the entirety of the UK—not just the Southeast. Attendees noted the misalignment between where AI talent is available and where data centres can be optimally located. The discussions revealed a pressing need for startups to gain improved access to computational resources, emphasizing that a long-term, stable compute strategy is crucial for national progress. Innovative proposals included repurposing old industrial sites, particularly along the East Coast, to host data centres powered by renewable energy such as wind. The forum also highlighted the importance of reducing reliance on external providers like AWS by establishing sovereign compute capacity, alongside initiatives like subsidised GPU credits and diversified data centre locations.
Data: Unlocking Value Through Collaboration
Data emerged as a cornerstone for AI advancement. Forum delegates agreed that public sector data should be treated as a national asset with clearly defined high-value datasets. Yet, challenges remain—public distrust and vague definitions of “high-value” continue to impede progress. There is a strong call for a cultural shift towards enhanced cross-sector data sharing, which would enable the combination of datasets to generate deeper insights. Proposals included the appointment of a Head of the National Data Library and the creation of a data licensing marketplace to unlock private archives. Transparent public data audits, open to stakeholder input, were also seen as essential steps forward.
Regulation & Governance: Steering Innovation Responsibly
The conversation on regulation and governance centered on the UK’s potential to lead on AI oversight. Attendees advocated for a balanced approach that fosters innovation while ensuring public safety. In a global context, the UK’s leadership in AI governance could influence policies in larger markets such as the EU and US. The discussions touched on the challenges faced by firms in managing AI risks and the importance of tailored regulatory measures. Key recommendations included supporting AI startups in areas like cybersecurity, maintaining consumer protection, and bolstering the AI Safety Institute. The use of regulatory sandboxes was highlighted as an effective means for companies to navigate evolving AI regulations.
Talent & Skills: Cultivating a Future-Ready Workforce
Recognizing the strength of the UK’s AI skills foundation, forum participants stressed the importance of nurturing talent from early education through to lifelong learning and reskilling. Broadening AI literacy to include digital fluency across disciplines is crucial, they argued, with AI-enhanced education—such as AI tutors—being a potential game changer for both teachers and students. A vision for a National AI Skills Academy was proposed to drive holistic learning, along with integrating AI into curricula and establishing performance benchmarks to track its impact.
Go-to-Market (GTM): Bridging Innovation and Application
A recurring theme during the forum was the disconnect between AI development and end-user needs. To address this, it was suggested that the government establish frameworks to help businesses identify high-value datasets and to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies. Delegates identified procurement as a significant bottleneck—particularly for startups—and called for faster, more risk-tolerant procurement processes. The “test and scale” approach was championed as a way to validate successful use cases, with a focus on outcomes such as revenue growth, efficiency gains, and effective risk management. Targeting specific verticals, especially for large language model (LLM) adoption, was also seen as a strategy to drive measurable impact.
Makers Not Takers: Forging National Champions
The final workstream, “Makers Not Takers,” addressed the critical role of procurement in nurturing homegrown AI champions. Here, the debate centered on striking a balance between government investment and fostering the independence of companies. Innovative funding models were discussed, including linking government orders with equity stakes in startups and directing funds into national venture capital initiatives. Streamlining procurement processes to allow startups more time to respond, and developing an open-source strategy for industrial AI development, were among the strategic solutions proposed. Some participants even suggested the creation of a “Manhattan Project for AI” to catalyze significant breakthroughs.
The inaugural AI Opportunities Action Plan Forum showcased a diverse array of insights, challenges, and innovative solutions poised to steer the future of AI in the UK. With a clear focus on robust infrastructure, strategic data management, balanced regulation, comprehensive skills development, agile market strategies, and the nurturing of national champions, the forum set the stage for a dynamic transformation in the AI landscape. As the government moves forward with its AI Opportunities Action Plan, the collaborative efforts highlighted during the forum will be essential in turning these ambitious proposals into reality.