BridgeAI priming the UK to seize AI opportunity

The showcase welcomed AI solution providers, adopters, industry leaders and policymakers to explore the vast potential of AI in transforming the UK’s key economic sectors.

BridgeAI, now its third year, is an Innovate UK programme designed to accelerate the safe and responsible adoption of AI across key sectors of the UK economy with a priority focus on agriculture, creative industries, construction, and transport and logistics.

Opening the event, the Minister for AI and Digital Government at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology emphasised the government’s commitment to responsible and inclusive AI development, saying the AI opportunity “must span the length and breadth of the UK.”

Transformative impact across sectors

“BridgeAI has already helped 9,000 people build skills to deploy AI in sectors like construction and creative industries. It plays a critical role in helping businesses across these sectors to integrate AI effectively and overcome adoption challenges, as well as realising AI’s full potential.

“BridgeAI provides businesses with vital funding support, access to expert knowledge, cutting-edge AI driven solutions, and the skills needed to succeed in an AI-powered economy. It is building the vital connections between the UK’s world-leading AI researchers, data scientists and industry, ensuring that AI innovation translates to real-world impact.

“As BridgeAI continues to deliver, this government remains fully committed to supporting the programme and recognising the transformative impact it is having across industries.”

A country of makers

The other keynote came from Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK, who expanded on the Prime Minister’s London Tech Week message that Britain should be an “AI maker, not taker.”

“Right now, the world is in an AI race and the countries that seize the AI advantage will reap incredible rewards – boosting productivity in every industry, enhancing growth and solving the biggest problems of our age, from chronic disease to climate change.

“Britain is in a prime position to seize that advantage – we’re already first in Europe and third in the world for AI market size. We’ve got the research base, the talent and the tech start-ups. And we’ve got the heritage; a long line of greats, from Babbage to Lovelace, Turing to Berners-Lee. There’s no denying it; this is a country of makers.

AI Skills Hub launch

The BridgeAI Annual Showcase also saw the launch of a new AI Skills Hub to bridge the UK’s AI skills gap and accelerate adoption across key sectors. Developed by PwC on behalf of Innovate UK, the Hub aims to connect employers, individuals, training providers, and tech partners to boost job creation and productivity. With over 73% of employers reporting AI-related skill shortages, the initiative responds to urgent demand by offering targeted support and learning opportunities, helping the UK workforce stay competitive in an AI-driven economy.

According to research by PwC, by 2035, some 10 million workers will be in roles where AI will be part of their role or responsibilities in some form, with a further 3.9 million in roles directly in AI. In highlighting the need for AI up-skilling, Zlatina Loudjeva, Partner at PwC, also said there was a 56% wage premium for AI skills comparing workers in the same job with and without skills. This is up from 25% last year.

Access the AI Skills Hub here.

Year two annual report

The BridgeAI programme also released its Year Two annual report, highlighting significant progress in accelerating safe and responsible AI adoption across the UK. To date, the programme has supported over 3,400 organisations, allocated £73.8 million in grant funding, and facilitated more than 1,000 AI skills courses. The report showcases impactful case studies, co-investment success, and the vital role of both generative and traditional AI and Machine Learning in transforming industry.

Read the report

Exhibition

Nearly 50 exhibitors attended to showcase their innovations. One of them was Airborne Robotics, a manufacturer of high-performance drones, with operations in London, Munich and Klagenfurt (Austria), working across multiple industries including energy systems, surveying, logistics and agriculture.

The company has been supported by an Innovate UK grant for their project “Dr-UBER”, a drone network for emergency delivery of medical supplies and equipment. It is being trialled in Essex, working with Anglia Ruskin University, the NHS and local hospitals. This innovative approach enables urgent medical deliveries to critically ill patients when they need them most, and when ground transport isn’t an option.

Alex Fraess-Ehrfeld, CEO Airborne Robotics said: “Innovate UK’s support has been transformational. We’ve achieved in 12 months what some companies take three years or more to do. That’s partly thanks to the structure and support of the programme, and now we’re ready to build on that momentum.”

About BridgeAI

The BridgeAI programme is delivered in partnership with Digital Catapult, The Alan Turing Institute, STFC Hartree Centre, and the BSI.

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