Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall has stated that Britain must take decisive action to secure its position in an increasingly volatile and technologically driven world.
Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Kendall set out what she described as a clear strategy to ensure UK is not left behind in the new global race for technological dominance.
Her remarks come amid growing concerns over the intersection of geopolitical instability and rapid technological change, with governments around the world accelerating investments in artificial intelligence, defence technologies, and digital infrastructure. Kendall argued that these twin forces are not developing independently, but are instead reinforcing each other in ways that are reshaping global power dynamics.
Moreover, she described the current period as an “age of disruption,” driven by the breakdown of long-standing geopolitical arrangements and the unprecedented pace of technological advancement.
In particular, she highlighted how competition between major powers is fuelling investment in emerging technologies, while innovations such as artificial intelligence and social media are simultaneously contributing to political instability and societal division.
“The geopolitical settlement of the last 40 years has ruptured and many would argue, is gone for good. Technology is disrupting our economies and societies in ways unimaginable a few years ago.”
Liz Kendall
Liz Kendall suggested that artificial intelligence lies at the heart of this revolution and described it as the “defining currency” of the modern period.
“In the past this was the size of your navy, the spread of your railways, the reach of your power grids. The infrastructure for commerce, trade and militarisation.
“Today the defining currency is AI. And the countries which harness AI will not only lead the race to cure diseases, discover new materials and create trillion-dollar companies but also build far more powerful militaries.”
Liz Kendall
She warned that the pace of development is accelerating rapidly, noting that AI systems have evolved in a matter of years from performing simple tasks to achieving capabilities that rival highly trained specialists. This acceleration, she said, is compressing timelines for innovation and raising urgent questions about control, governance, and strategic advantage.
Kendall also pointed to the growing concentration of AI resources, including computing power, in the hands of a small number of global companies. This trend, she suggested, highlights the importance for countries like the UK to strengthen their own capabilities and reduce reliance on external actors in critical technological domains.
Investment, Sovereignty and Alliances at the Core of UK AI Strategy
Moreover, the Technology Secretary outlined a series of concrete measures aimed at strengthening Britain’s position in the global AI landscape, with a focus on investment, infrastructure, and international collaboration as the foundations of what she described as a more assertive national strategy.
Central to this approach is the government’s “Sovereign AI” initiative, which she described as a major step toward ensuring that Britain becomes an active producer of advanced technologies rather than a passive consumer. The programme includes an initial £500 million investment designed to support domestic AI companies at various stages of development, from start-ups to scaling enterprises.
The initiative also seeks to leverage broader government resources, including access to high-performance computing infrastructure, targeted visa policies to attract global talent, and coordination with public investment institutions such as the British Business Bank.
In addition to financial support, the government is placing significant emphasis on the development of AI hardware capabilities, recognising the strategic importance of semiconductor technologies and computing infrastructures.
However, the Technology Secretary rejected the notion that Britain is too late to compete in this space, pointing to the country’s historical contributions to computing and semiconductor design, as well as the presence of established and emerging companies working on next-generation technologies. She stated that investments in research and development, including funding for experimental computing programmes, are intended to support innovation and create opportunities for new entrants.
Alongside domestic initiatives, Kendall stressed the importance of international partnerships in strengthening UK’s technological position. She highlighted existing collaborations with countries including Germany, France, Canada, and Japan, covering areas such as quantum technologies, AI security, and digital infrastructure.
These partnerships, she argued, are essential for building resilience and establishing common standards for the development and deployment of AI systems. She also pointed to the role of institutions such as UK’s AI Security Institute and the National Cyber Security Centre in contributing to global efforts to address emerging risks associated with advanced technologies.
Kendall indicated that future efforts would focus on expanding joint investment in key areas of the AI value chain and enhancing cooperation on security and risk management. This includes initiatives to share expertise, develop evaluation frameworks for AI systems, and strengthen collective responses to potential threats.
