Science Secretary Liz Kendall has rejected suggestions that the department’s Whitehall department is placing too much emphasis on artificial intelligence and deep technology at the expense of supporting the UK’s wider research ecosystem.
In his first appearance before the search committee since being appointed secretary of state for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Mr Kendall said two of his three main priorities are related to AI and technology. It is about transforming public services with digital technology and securing AI training for the UK workforce, with plans underway to upskill 7.5 million workers.
Her “overwhelming” priority at DSIT is to support economic growth, she told the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on December 3, adding: “There is no path to significant growth unless science and technology are absolutely front and center.”
This focus on technology, alongside efforts to improve online safety led by DSIT, led committee member and former science secretary George Freeman to question whether other areas of UK research were being ignored.
“DSIT appears to be becoming the AI deep technology arm of modern government rather than a research arm,” he said, noting that the Labor government’s industrial strategy, like the Conservative Party’s 2013 Eight Great Technologies plan, did not specify which areas of research and technology would be supported.
“I welcome the industrial strategy, but it’s quite sophisticated. It covers a large part of the economy. I wonder where robotics, advanced manufacturing, space, clean technology, materials, agricultural technology fit into this,” Freeman said.
The criticism follows concerns that Mr Kendall’s predecessor, Peter Kyle, focused primarily on AI and online safety during his tenure at DSIT, with research policy left to Science Minister Patrick Vallance, who focused primarily on promoting corporate research and development rather than addressing university research concerns.
“It’s clear that our world-leading life sciences sector is essential to the government’s growth strategy,” Kendall said, pointing to a bespoke investment plan for life sciences announced in July.
“We’re doubling the amount of funding for critical technologies in research and development, and that includes not only AI and quantum, but also engineering biology. So the scope is wide,” she continued, referring to a talk she gave at the Science Museum last week.
Explaining his broader ambitions for DSIT, Kendall said: “The reason I’ve been focusing on public services and digital technology reform is because I think it’s outdated. And the reason I’ve been focusing on the safety and skills aspects is that these things are happening rapidly and we have to give people confidence in these things.
“If you look at what Patrick Vallance has led in life science planning and research and development… we are leading the world and we are determined to continue to do so. That is a non-negotiable for our government.”
Mr Kendall addressed criticism that the UK government is becoming increasingly prescriptive in where it allocates research funding, arguing that the government is right to take the current approach to help make a public case for research funding.
“There’s a false argument about whether we’re picking winners, whether it’s the government doing the wrong thing, or whether we’re allowing all this curiosity-driven research. It’s perfectly legitimate and correct to say, ‘This is taxpayer money and we should put it into the areas of growth that have the most potential for the country,'” Kendall said.
Asked how DSIT’s success will be measured in the future, Kendall said the amount of private investment that has gone into key research areas is a good starting point.
“I’m a huge Tom Cruise fan. He said, ‘Show me the money,'” Kendall explained, quoting Tom Cruise’s famous line from the 1996 film. Jerry Maguire.
“We have made more venture capital investments in AI technology and innovation than France, Germany and Switzerland combined. [this money] Persistence is key to building future success,” she said.
“I would also like to see the world’s leading researchers and universities retain their positions,” she added.
jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com
