Small firms ‘are key to AI strategy’
British manufacturers are lagging behind global leaders in robotics and artificial intelligence, and bridging the gap could boost the economy by £150 billion in the next decade, according to new research.
Make UK, a trade body, is urging the government to introduce a “simple one-stop-shop” for small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) to deliver funding, training and innovation support to close the gap with countries such as South Korea and Singapore.
Over the past decade the UK has fallen from second in a global innovation index to fifth place, according to the report, which was produced with Sage, the business software provider. It found that the UK has only 112 industrial robots per 10,000 workers, half the EU average.
Britain came 24th in the global robotics density index.
The government launched its industrial strategy this summer, which it hopes will kick-start the economy. Advanced manufacturing is one of the eight sectors prioritised and includes plans to “develop a dynamic and digitally literate workforce, with a new generation of tech adopters”.
It has also launched an industry partnership with giant American tech companies including Nvidia, Google and Microsoft, to train 7.5 million British workers in essential AI skills by 2030 and plans to explore implementing the recommendations of the recent tech adoption review, which included creating an AI adoption hubs network.
However, Make UK warned that the country “simply can’t wait ten years for this to happen”. It is urging ministers to embed targeted funding for digital skills needed in manufacturing and engineering to accompany the existing £100 million that the government has already set aside for engineering skills.
Seamus Nevin, the chief economist at Make UK, said smaller manufacturers are being held back from adopting new technologies by “fragmented support, complex funding systems and a lack of accessible, appropriate digital skills training”. He added: “Other countries are accelerating ahead by putting smaller firms at the heart of national strategies … from South Korea to Switzerland, governments have created clear, SME-focused strategies that simplify innovation funding, offer longterm tax incentives, and ensure every business can access practical support.”
Adoption is stronger at big businesses.
Accenture, the consultancy, found that 49 per cent have “scaled” at least one strategic AI initiative, compared with 43 per cent across Europe
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