Industry Focus: Remaining human in a digital world.

The UK has consistently punched above its weight when it comes to digital technology. Famously, the world wide web was a plucky British invention. Today our home-grown industry rivals European neighbours and features some world-class, sector-leading businesses operating in everything from quantum computing to semi-conductors. 

Through the Industrial Strategy’s Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, the government hopes to lay down the foundations necessary to boost this sector at a time when the scale and pace of change – partly thanks to the AI boom – is greater than ever. 

The plan boils a complex picture down into several core pillars – a focus on frontier technologies; providing a better business ecosystem for investment and R&D; integrating technology across the economy; and using it as a driver for global partnerships. 

As expected – and as is common across other sector plans – the government wants to integrate AI more closely into both the public and private sectors to boost productivity and speed up innovation.

It also recognises that people and communities are fundamental. Lifelong skills development features prominently, as does a focus on supporting regions to develop and grow tech clusters through spatial planning. 

And while it’s a compelling vision, what matters now is how government can capitalise on the clear opportunities in a way that brings together people and businesses. 

We know digital technology is already transforming lives – for better or worse. In an unstable world the government needs to make a strong case for the development of new infrastructure and closer integration of technology into our lives, jobs, and communities. If we’re going to be a world leader, we need to recognise that digital growth must have people at the heart of it. That’s a matter of inclusivity as well as having a strong narrative and sensible policy agenda.