The UK stands on the brink of a technological revolution with its AI Opportunities Action Plan. Designed to position the nation as a global leader in artificial intelligence, the plan outlines a bold roadmap for economic growth, innovation, and societal transformation. However, achieving this vision requires more than infrastructure and talent investment. It demands a cultural transformation of the UK — a shift from being shy and cautious to a mindset that embraces innovation, experimentation, and calculated risk-taking.

To deliver growth to everybody, a cultural transformation is going to be critical. By fostering trust, collaboration, and proactive engagement with AI, the UK can unlock an additional £400 billion in economic growth by 2030 and lead the global race in innovation.

Why the UK Needs a Culture of Innovation to Lead in AI

The UK has an enviable foundation in artificial intelligence. Home to global AI leaders such as DeepMind and ARM, the country ranks third in the world for AI market size.

Its universities produce cutting-edge research supported by tech transfer teams, and the country’s regulatory leadership in AI safety has set global standards. However, these strengths are underutilised due to a deeply ingrained cultural hesitancy. Even our companies are reluctant to invest directly or through a corporate venture capital company in the many opportunities that we create.

Statistics highlight the challenge: only 15% of UK businesses have adopted AI, compared to 31% in the US.

Public scepticism is another barrier, with 60% of citizens expressing concerns about AI’s impact on jobs and privacy. Without addressing these cultural factors, the UK risks falling behind more proactive nations such as the US, China, and Singapore.

What are industry leaders saying about the AI Opportunities Plan?

UK Prime Minster Keir Starmer has appointed Matt Clifford as an adviser to support in the delivery of this transformational AI Action Plan.

In a LinkedIn post to coincide with the publishing of the plan, Clifford says that, "AI is the single most powerful lever we have to achieve this. But we need to act boldly and we need to act now. That’s what the Action Plan is about."

As Matt notes, the response to date has been overwhelmingly positive.

Brent Hoberman announced today the 'launch of the London AI Hub, in partnership with Techspace.'

Keith Strier, SVP for AI Markets at AMD, formerly from NVIDA, was direct in his praise, saying, “UK for the Win!”

Meanwhile for Chief Scientific Adviser at The Department for Business and Trade, Dr Mike Short CBE FREng FIET FBCS FITP, highlights that the "plan to points to a more strategic and comprehensive plan towards implementation than previous UK attempts by government." Rightly so, Mike wants "to see more AI scale up options to ensure this works well internationally and collaboratively."

While Gerard Grech makes some great observations in the reply to his LinkedIn post about the difficulty of securing the opportunities. But the government is seeing AI as 'cutting across all areas.'

How can we establish a risk-taking culture that helps unlock growth 

For the UK to lead in AI, it must shed its legacy of risk aversion and build a culture that rewards experimentation and innovation. This shift requires strategic policy changes, fiscal incentives, and a concerted effort to influence how the public and businesses see risk and reward.

Fostering a Pro-Innovation Mindset

The UK needs a cultural reset that positions risk-taking as a path to opportunity.

Government leaders must champion this mindset by consistently framing innovation and experimentation as not just national priorities but part of our historic DNA.

Businesses should follow suit, embedding innovation into their strategies and empowering teams to experiment without fear of failure.

Public procurement can be catalytic here. By prioritising innovative solutions in government contracts, the public sector can set an example and create a market for AI products that inspires industry confidence.

1. Create a UK corporate venture capital ecosystem

The UK is filled with opportunities, whether from academic tech transfer teams or from founders, UK or international, who base themselves across the UK to build transformational businesses. Yet, the investment that they need comes from venture capital companies, many of which are overseas.

The UK needs to incentivise corporates to create their own corporate venture units, through which they can invest in new transformational technology that can support their growth and that of their supply chains.

Incentivising AI Adoption and Experimentation

Financial incentives are critical to encouraging businesses to adopt AI. Enhancing R&D tax credits to specifically include AI projects and offering grants for SMEs and start-ups in AI-focused sectors would lower the barriers to experimentation.

Additionally, the government could establish AI Growth Zones with streamlined planning processes, infrastructure development subsidies, and company tax relief.

These zones should target underdeveloped regions to drive economic regeneration and bridge geographic disparities in AI adoption.

Addressing Public Concerns with Transparency

Building trust is essential for widespread AI adoption. Clear, transparent communication must address public concerns about ethics, privacy, and job displacement.

Governments and businesses alike should commit to ethical AI practices with regulatory frameworks that ensure accountability and fairness.

Establishing an independent AI ethics board to oversee major projects would further reassure the public. Meanwhile, public education campaigns showcasing AI's tangible benefits—such as faster healthcare diagnoses or improved public transportation—can demystify the technology and build confidence.

Investing in Education and Skills Development

A skilled workforce is the backbone of an AI-powered economy.

The UK must increase its investment in AI education, creating pathways from primary schools to postgraduate programmes. A flagship scholarship programme, modelled after the Rhodes or Fulbright scholarships, would attract top talent to the UK and reinforce its global reputation for innovation.

To help workers adapt to AI-augmented roles, lifelong learning initiatives and vocational training must be expanded beyond formal education. Collaboration with businesses is essential to ensure these programmes align with industry needs.

Building a Narrative for AI Adoption and Growth

Strategic communications will be critical to enabling this cultural shift. The UK must craft a unifying narrative that positions AI as a force for good, highlighting its potential to create jobs, improve public services, and drive economic growth.

Businesses and government leaders should use media, industry events, and digital platforms to communicate success stories that resonate with both stakeholders and the public. For example, showcasing AI-driven solutions that reduce NHS waiting times or enable carbon-neutral manufacturing could inspire confidence and enthusiasm.

Transparency should underpin these efforts. The UK can build credibility and trust by openly discussing the challenges and risks of AI adoption alongside its benefits. Engaging with diverse voices—including ethicists, industry experts, and community leaders—will further strengthen this narrative.

How Businesses and Investors Can Lead the AI Revolution

Senior leaders and investors have a pivotal role in driving this cultural transformation.

Businesses must integrate AI into their operations, not as an afterthought but as a core capability. Leadership teams should prioritise upskilling their workforce and fostering a culture of innovation that encourages experimentation and tolerates failure.

Collaboration is equally vital. By partnering with government initiatives such as AI Growth Zones or contributing to shared data ecosystems, businesses can help accelerate AI development while gaining early access to cutting-edge technologies. Investors, meanwhile, should focus on high-potential start-ups in sectors ripe for AI disruption, such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and financial services.

The Role of Government in Leading by Example

The government must demonstrate its commitment to AI adoption by integrating the technology into public services. From piloting AI in healthcare diagnostics to streamlining transportation systems, these initiatives will improve service delivery and showcase AI’s potential to the broader public.

To further signal its commitment, the government should use its purchasing power to drive demand for AI solutions, offering contracts to innovative businesses and setting benchmarks for ethical and effective AI use.

A Call to Action for Business, Government, and Society

The AI Opportunities Action Plan provides a robust framework for the UK’s leadership in AI, but it cannot succeed without a cultural transformation. By fostering a culture of innovation, trust, and collaboration, the UK can unlock AI’s full potential to drive growth, create jobs, and enhance societal well-being.

For senior business leaders, investors, and policymakers, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to align with a national vision that prioritises boldness and creativity. By embracing risk, investing in talent and technology, and building trust with the public, the UK can secure its place as a global leader in the AI-driven future.

The new AI Opportunities Action Plan is a step in the right direction. But critically, it needs support to get the UK to buy into it. The wrong culture can hinder unlocking the growth that the government has identified.