UK advisers urge domestic AI push to avoid dependence

Britain risks becoming a “high-value AI customer” rather than shaping the technology unless it urgently builds domestic capabilities, the government’s Council for Science and Technology has warned. The independent advisory body said current decisions would determine whether the country secures AI’s economic and public benefits while maintaining resilience and strategic autonomy.

In a letter to AI minister Kanishka Narayan, the council recommended appointing a single government lead to coordinate AI sovereignty policy. It also called for investment in skills, data and computing infrastructure, alongside testing AI systems in national security, health and education. The recommendations come as governments seek to avoid dependence on a handful of mostly U.S.-based technology companies.

The advisers urged Britain to retain access to the world’s most advanced AI systems while developing domestic capabilities. Options include exploring a publicly governed British AI model that researchers, startups and public services could use. The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.