The UK’s market for AI assurance is set to experience significant growth, with projections indicating a six-fold increase by 2035, potentially creating more than £6.5 billion in value
This rise in demand comes after AI played a key role in the government’s plans to transform public services and boost economic productivity.
Making AI trustworthy
Ensuring public trust in AI technologies, ensuring they are fair, and transparent, and safeguarding privacy is at the forefront of this growth.
Currently, around 524 companies operate in the UK’s AI assurance sector, employing more than 12,000 people and generating over £1 billion in revenue. These businesses provide essential tools and services to help organisations deploy AI safely, a need that is growing as AI becomes more integrated into day-to-day operations across industries.
To support the sector’s expansion, the UK government has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at helping businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), develop and deploy trustworthy AI products and services.
AI assurance platform
One of the key measures is the launch of a new AI assurance platform. This platform will serve as a resource, offering guidance and practical tools for businesses to assess and manage the risks associated with AI. It will help companies evaluate the data used in AI systems, ensure fairness, and reduce bias, all while maintaining transparency in their AI operations.
The platform also features a self-assessment tool to help SMEs implement responsible AI management practices, enabling them to make informed decisions throughout the AI development and deployment process. A public consultation is also underway to gather industry feedback and ensure that the platform meets the needs of businesses across the country.
Global AI safety
The UK is also expanding its international AI safety collaborations. The UK AI Safety Institute, the world’s first government-backed body dedicated to AI safety, has signed a new partnership with Singapore.
This agreement aims to strengthen global AI safety research and establish shared standards, ensuring the responsible development and deployment of advanced AI models worldwide.
