The UK government has officially launched the new Centre for AI Measurement, an initiative aimed at positioning the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence innovation. The centre, which will be led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), is backed by £10.5 million in government funding. Its primary goal is to develop scientifically rigorous standards for AI models by fostering collaboration among industry players, startups, and researchers.
According to NPL, the centre will create a collaborative environment essential for undertaking significant research. It will also provide critical support and expertise to help organisations develop and pilot technical assurance tools, facilitating the quicker market introduction of trustworthy AI solutions. Kanishka Narayan, the UK’s AI minister, emphasized the importance of reliable tools for assessing AI systems, stating, “Robust, trusted tools for assessing the safety and effectiveness of emerging AI systems are essential for businesses to deploy them with confidence.”
The establishment of the centre aligns with the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has seen the government implement approximately three-quarters of its proposed measures over the past year. The initiative is part of the broader £11 million AI Assurance Innovation Fund, designed to expedite the safe development of AI technologies.
As the UK’s National Metrology Institute, NPL has been involved in the field of AI through its Life Cycle for Trustworthy and Safe Artificial Intelligence. In addition to the new centre, NPL is a founding partner of the AI Standards Hub, aimed at shaping global standards for AI technologies.
Peter Thompson, CEO of NPL, expressed confidence in the centre’s potential to enhance the UK’s leadership in secure and trustworthy AI development. He stated, “As the UK’s National Metrology Institute, NPL will work with industry and lead in developing and validating scientifically robust technical AI assurance capabilities, ensuring the centre becomes an independent national resource.”
The announcement of the Centre for AI Measurement coincides with the government’s commitment to supporting UK AI companies through the Sovereign AI Unit, which has allocated up to £500 million in funding. Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, highlighted the government’s ambition to make the UK the fastest adopting AI country among the G7 nations. “We are ensuring that British researchers and entrepreneurs have the compute, capital, and ecosystem they need to build world-class businesses here,” she noted.
With the creation of the Centre for AI Measurement, the UK aims to strengthen its position in the global AI landscape, fostering innovation while ensuring safety and trustworthiness in emerging technologies.