Insights

The International AI Safety Report 2026 has been released today on 3 February 2026, marking the second iteration of the most comprehensive global assessment of artificial intelligence capabilities, risks, and safety measures.

Read Jocelyn Paulley, Partner at Gowling WLG's guest blog on the essentials of implementing AI in your business.

The FCA has opened applications for the second cohort for their AI Live Testing service which offers firms the opportunity to test AI systems in live market conditions with regulatory support. Applications are open until 2 March 2026.

Barnsley has been named the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town, with plans to roll out AI across public services, skills, healthcare and local business as part of a place-based regeneration approach. Announced by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the initiative aims to demonstrate how AI adoption can improve local services, build skills and support regional growth.

The Westcott Space Hub has officially been opened in Buckinghamshire. Backed by £5.8 million of UK Space Agency funding and £15 million in match funding, this facility will support small and medium-sized businesses, major industry players, academia and others in the local space ecosystem to collaborate.

Catch up on the SPF's Public Protection and Disaster Relief cluster event chaired by Bob Stewart, University of Strathclyde and UK SPF Cluster 2 Chair.

The British Standards Institution explores how cyber incidents highlight weaknesses in interconnected supply chains and what leaders can do next.

techUK is keeping track of the 2026 updates to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. A full summary of all the announcements this month is forthcoming.

Read how Intralink's Stewart Randall identifies frontier tech opportunities in China during the UK PM's trade visit.

Nigel Brokenshire re-elected as chair and Alex Eavis re-elected as vice-chair of the techUK Life Sciences Working Group

This month's Talking 5 guest is Gurdip Sodhi, Local Government Lead at Salesforce

The United Kingdom and China have announced a new services partnership intended to support UK businesses operating in China, including a commitment by Beijing to extend visa-free access for short stays. 

This piece examines how technology is shaping a new era of policing reform, highlighting the role of digital tools in modernising capability and delivery. It sets out the opportunities and considerations for using technology to support effective, accountable policing.

The government is seeking views on the opportunities and challenges associated with secure AI infrastructure, aiming to inform future policy and decision making. The call for views invites input on how infrastructure can support the safe, secure and effective deployment of AI technologies.

techUK’s Life Sciences Working Group is pleased to share its 2026 priorities and work programme – a member driven plan shaped through nominations, consultation and a strategic planning session held at the end of 2025.

A new national centre to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by police forces has been announced, with technology taking a key role in police reform plans.

Ofcom has launched a new consultation exploring the impact that the adoption of artificial intelligence could have on the experience of telecoms customers. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in communications services, the consultation aims to understand how these technologies are being used today, the benefits they may offer to people and businesses, and the risks or challenges that could require regulatory attention. 

Read this guest blog by Michael Green, Managing Director at Databricks, on why investment in training and upskilling is the key to the UK’s AI success.

This piece explores discussions from Davos 2026 on building resilience through nature-based solutions and renewable energy, highlighting key themes and perspectives. It reflects on how these approaches can support long-term sustainability, resilience and economic transition.

Government and industry programme expands to provide 10 million workers with key AI skills by 2030. During London Tech Week 2025, UK government announced a new government-industry partnership to upskill and train 7.5 million UK workers in essential skills to use AI by 2030, equivalent to around 20% of the UK workforce.

techUK is keeping track of the 2026 updates to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. A full summary of all the announcements this month is forthcoming. 

The NHS has announced the next phase of its supply chain engagement, setting out plans to work more closely with suppliers on future priorities and delivery. The update outlines how engagement will support efficiency, resilience and long-term improvement across the supply chain.

techUK is keeping track of the 2026 updates to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. A full summary of all the announcements this month is forthcoming. For the latest moving forward, please subscribe to our AI newsletter.

techUK is keeping track of the 2026 updates to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. A full summary of all the announcements this month is forthcoming.Today, the government has announced a £36 million investment to upgrade the DAWN supercomputer at the University of Cambridge, aimed at increasing its computing power sixfold and significantly expanding access to high-performance AI compute in the UK.

The workshops are open to techUK members working on the development, deployment, governance, and adoption of agentic AI. Each workshop will run as a 90 minute, in-person session hosted at techUK. Sessions will split thematically as follows:   

Read our summary of and reaction to the UK government's white paper and its ambitious agenda to redesign the water sector

The government have finally published an impact statement of the 10 Year Health Plan. It is fair to say that this falls short of an implementation plan, as there remains a lack of timelines and financial frameworks included to work from and measure impact.

On Tuesday 20 January, techUK hosted a webinar for both new and long-standing members, offering an introduction to the many ways organisations can engage with the Cyber Resilience Programme and get real value from their membership.

techUK is delighted to announce the members of the Digital Twins Council for the January 2026 to January 2028 tenure.

On 21 January, the EU Commission published its much anticipated Digital Networks Act (DNA). The Act aims to update the EU’s network rules to further enable innovative technology like AI and Cloud

Guest blog by Murtaza Masood, Vice President and Managing Director, Public Sector, Box

Read our in-depth round-up from the AI Vision to Value Conference to explore the key discussions on AI adoption, regulatory frameworks, talent development, and the UK's strategic position in the global AI landscape.

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) has unveiled two new priority areas in its mission to identify and remove outdated rules which hold back technologies with the potential to drive UK growth and improve lives.

techUK’s winter supplier summit brought together senior leaders from government and industry to take stock of progress on digital reform and, crucially, to focus on what comes next. With strategic direction now well established, the conversation has shifted decisively toward delivery, collaboration and execution at scale.

Discover what techUK achieved for its data centre members in 2025

Read this guest blog by Verity Egerton-Doyle (Antitrust & Foreign Investment Partner, UK Co-Head of Technology Sector, and Co-Head of Games and Interactive Entertainment at Linklaters) and Lisa Chang (Corporate Partner and UK Co-Head of Technology Sector at Linklaters) on UK Tech Legal Outlook 2026: Navigating AI-led growth with converging regulatory and operational risks

On the 19 January techUK convened industry leaders for a briefing on the progress of the NHS England Single Patient Record.

On 20 January 2026, the EU Commission released a new Cybersecurity legislative proposal

On Tuesday 13 January, techUK held a workshop with the new GDS Local team from the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The event highlighted the tech sector’s commitment to working with local and central government to drive innovation, digitisation, and more efficient public services.

The Scottish Budget 2026–27 sets out the government’s spending and investment priorities, outlining how funding will be allocated across key policy areas. It provides context on fiscal decisions and their implications for public services, the economy and future delivery.

techUK calls for the Bill to embed a tech-focussed, pro-competition mindset in UK rail

Findings from DSIT study highlight gaps in evidence on how tech affects children’s mental health, and sets out where research could have the most impact.

We are collecting case studies from companies that have supported councils or other public sector bodies in delivering mergers, to showcase best practice.

This roadmap sets out a clear direction for delivering modern digital government, outlining priorities for improving public services, capability and outcomes. It provides a shared framework to guide long-term digital transformation across government.

techUK is delighted to announce the members of the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Council for the January 2026 to January 2028 tenure.

Welcome to this week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now. 

The India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi represents a pivotal moment in the global AI dialogue, marking the first time this summit series will be hosted in a developing economy.

The UK’s conversation on children’s online safety has reached a critical moment. As political attention turns once again to proposals for a blanket ban on social media use for under-16s, it is vital that policy decisions are guided by evidence, not popularity.