UK’s plan to be a “science and technology superpower” progresses; dystopia looms.

The UK government has published an update on the progress of its Science and Technology Framework. 

Originally published in March 2023, the update details what the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (“DSIT”) has achieved in the first year of the Framework’s existence.

In the name of stimulating economic growth through the government’s plan to become a “science and technology superpower,” it has funded projects that bring us ever nearer to a dystopian and technologically controlled society.

On 9 February, DSIT published an ‘update on progress’ report for the UK Science and Technology Framework (“UKSTF”).  The UKSTF is the government’s plan to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030.

According to Dame Angela McLean, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, and Dr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser, the UKSTF is the principal vehicle helping the whole of government deliver its strategic intent of becoming a “science and technology superpower.”

“Moving at warp speed,” in March 2023 Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for DSIT, launched the UKSTF.  “Led by DSIT, with collaborative delivery across government, we have already made substantial gains,” she said in the update report. 

 “Public spending on R&D is at the highest ever level, and we are fulfilling our commitment to spend £20 billion across the next financial year with every £1 of public expenditure leveraging double the amount of private investment,” Donelan added.

The UKSTF has projects with large budgets such as the “£1.5 billion for compute infrastructure across the exascale and AI Research Resource (AIRR) programmes since the publication of the independent Future of Compute Review in March 2023.”

Compute is advanced computing capabilities – the large-scale processing power, memory and data storage that is used to tackle tasks beyond the capabilities of everyday computers.

The Future of Compute Review explores the UK’s compute needs over the next decade and provides recommendations to spur growth and secure the UK’s status as a science and technology superpower.

However, some of its projects require less money and are also of concern. The introduction to the ‘update on progress’ report stated:

Our pioneering work on online safety is driving innovation and growth in online safety technology, with the sector generating £456 million in 2023, representing a 20% increase from the previous year. Our work to enable the development of secure and trusted digital identity solutions is also helping organisations to innovate cheaper, faster, and more robust business processes. We are strengthening our regions to become globally competitive centres for research and innovation.

This includes the £100 million Innovation Accelerators programme in the Glasgow City Region, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands and UKRI’s eight new Launchpads, such as the Bio-based Manufacturing Launchpad in Scotland, the Net Zero Industry Launchpad in Wales, and the Life and Health Sciences Launchpad in Northern Ireland. [Emphasis added]Driving growth and prosperity through discovery and Innovation, Introduction, The UK Science and Technology Framework: update on progress (9 February 2024)

The UKSTF update on progress report highlights innovation, investment and growth in life sciences – one of the UK’s strongest sectors.  In July 2021 the government published the Life Sciences Vision. Although this Vision was in the making beforehand, according to Quanta, the 2020 covid pandemic gave it a push and played a huge role in shaping the key components.

“The Vision aligns with and complements the Science and Technology Framework’s systems approach,” DSIT stated.

The continued success of the life sciences sector, with its combined turnover of £108.1 billion in 2021-2022, remains fundamental to achieving our goals of stimulating economic growth, delivering high-skilled jobs, and improving health outcomes by bringing new innovative technologies and treatments to market, as well as establishing the UK as a science and technology superpower.US Venture Capital firm Flagship Pioneering announced its strategic commitment to the UK life sciences ecosystem in 2023 and established its first base outside of the US in London.

This was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK government … This commitment was combined with Flagship’s milestone launch of Quotient Therapeutics, the first Flagship-founded company co-anchored in the UK and US. There has been over £1 billion in investment from leading global companies since the launch of the Life Sciences Vision. This includes a landmark partnership with Moderna (a Flagship founded company).Innovation, investment and growth in life sciences – applying the Science and Technology Framework to one of the UK’s strongest sectors, Introduction, The UK Science and Technology Framework: update on progress (9 February 2024)

Also in the introduction is a section titled ‘Earth Observation Investment Package (EOIP) – boosting the UK’s space sector’. 

In November 2023, we announced up to £47 million to add to the Earth Observation Investment Package (EOIP), which now comprises of almost £247 million of funding released by the UK government from 2022-2025 to boost activity and innovation across the sector.

The EOIP has already swiftly demonstrated its effectiveness in bolstering the UK’s Earth Observation (EO) sector.Data from EO satellites delivers vital information to fight climate change, underpin our national security and help manage our environment, with more than half of our key climate data coming from space.Earth Observation Investment Package (EOIP) – boosting the UK’s space sector, Introduction, The UK Science and Technology Framework: update on progress (9 February 2024)

You might be wondering how this benefits UK citizens. 

It doesn’t.  Essentially, it benefits climate alarmist technocrats.  Basically, EOIP is funding projects that provide solutions to so-called “global challenges” relating to agriculture and climate.

EOIP has funded the UK EO Climate Information Service (“EOCIS”), which provides vital data for decision-makers. For example, Assimila, in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (“UKHSA”) and Leicester University, is using EOCIS data to study the health impacts of temperature extremes.

Additionally, EOIP has funded the EO4Agroclimate programme, which combines UK expertise in EO technology with Australian knowledge to address “global challenges” in agriculture and climate.

EOIP has also safeguarded critical national EO services and datasets, such as the Met Office-led Marine and Climate Advisory service, which supports search and rescue efforts and marine pollution responses.

EOIP has also provided funding to develop satellite technology and support the next generation of EO experts. Innovate UK funded 14 companies, including Agribot, which uses grassland modelling to help farmers enhance pasture health and productivity.

So, we have life sciences (technologies and treatments) and earth observation (climate), could the UKSTF be pushing any of the other Globalist agendas?  Yes.

DSIT works in collaboration with intelligence services, not least of all to tackle disinformation.  The UKSTF also covers digital identities.

Before 2020, many of us may have been trusting enough of our government and intelligence community to see the tackling of disinformation as beneficial for the nation.  But as many of us have experienced or witnessed how governments and intelligence communities have turned on their own citizens in recent years to tackle “disinformation,” we cannot assume the UKSTF’s DSIT/intelligence community collaboration is for our benefit.

The update on progress report stated:

Through our cross-government partnerships, we are enabling technological capability across the UK Intelligence Community. The initial £695 million in additional R&D funding for the intelligence and security agencies announced in the Integrated Review 2021 is delivering world-class breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, making use of new partnerships across the UK and with allies.

We have implemented new legislation on online harms to rapidly take down harmful material and applied new sanctions against Russia which have been integral to our economic security agenda. As part of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, we are directly tackling disinformation, and counter-state threats, and enhancing our capability to tackle cyber-crime through our work on digital identity. [Emphasis added]Building security and resilience, Introduction, The UK Science and Technology Framework: update on progress (9 February 2024)

All of the above is taken from the forewords and the introduction to the 68-page ‘update on progress’ report.  Also included in the introduction, is a month-by-month list of what action UKSTF has taken from its inception to January 2024. You can find the 19-page UKSTF published on 6 March 2023 HERE.

Below, we briefly describe the updates on the first of the 10 UKSTF action points, or what the update on progress report refers to as “strands.”

Developing and Deploying Critical Technologies

The UKSTF has ten strands which can be seen listed on the left-hand side menu of the ‘update on progress (9 February 2024)’ webpage.  The first strand is ‘Developing and deploying critical technologies’.

DSIT has identified five critical technologies: AI, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors and quantum technologies. 

For AI, DSIT has announced £1.5 billion of investment in compute in the past year.  Over the next 10 years, DSIT has committed: £2.5 billion for quantum technologies and announced 5 Quantum Missions to realise the ambitions of its National Quantum Strategy; up to £1 billion on semiconductors; and £2 billion for engineering biology.

Initially, up to £100 million was committed on future telecommunications by the end of financial year 2024/25 and DSIT is committed to supporting future telecommunications research and development in the long term.

The use of behavioural sciences has not been overlooked by DSIT.  Its update states:  “We are also drawing on the UK’s world-class capabilities in the social and behavioural sciences, as well as the humanities, to help shape how critical technologies are developed and deployed, strengthen public engagement and protection, and improve our ability to foresee unintended consequences.”

Artificial Intelligence

DSIT have convened the world’s first AI Safety Summit which was held at Bletchley Park in November 2023. This set a global agenda and built consensus on the opportunities and risks of AI, as well as the need for collaborative action on frontier AI safety, codified in the landmark Bletchley Declaration on AI Safety. (Note: The Declaration also prioritises the UN Sustainable Development Goals.)

The UK government has launched the world’s first AI Safety Institute and has invested £80 million in AI hubs, bringing together multidisciplinary teams from academia, industry, and other stakeholders. These hubs focus on areas such as scientific research, real-world data, and the development of new AI technologies.

Significant investments have been made in compute infrastructure, amounting to over £1.5 billion, to drive innovation and support AI research initiatives. The government has also established a Central AI Risk Function to identify and assess AI-related risks.

To foster responsible and trustworthy AI, the government has invested £110 million in the UKRI Technology Missions Fund. They are also providing funding for scholarships to enhance diversity in data science and AI fields.

Other initiatives launched by the UK government include the Responsible AI UK consortium, the Bridging Responsible AI Divides programme, and the Manchester Prize for innovative AI solutions. They have also introduced the AI Skills for Business Competency Framework and the Generative AI Framework for government use.

During the next 12 months, among others, the government will encourage AI adoption and will launch the pilot AI and Digital Hub with the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum in March 2024.

Engineering Biology

Engineering biology is the design, scaling and commercialisation of biology-derived products and services that can “transform sectors or produce existing products more sustainably.” It draws on the tools of synthetic biology to create the next wave of innovation in the “bioeconomy” and “represents an opportunity to drive advances across health, agriculture, chemicals, materials and energy.”

The UK government has taken several steps to promote and invest in the field of engineering biology some of which are mentioned below.

The National Vision for Engineering Biology was published in December 2023, with a commitment to invest £2 billion over the next ten years. (Note: It lays out the government’s strategy for turning the potential of cellular agriculture, new genomic techniques, medicinal advancements and sustainable fuel production into concrete benefits to the economy and people’s quality of life, supposedly.)

The government has outlined their approach in the Vision, focusing on six key themes:  world-leading research and development, infrastructure, talent and skills, regulation and standards, engineering biology in the economy and responsible and trustworthy innovation.

They have also provided funding of £100 million for engineering biology missions, hubs, and awards, and hosted a showcase of UK companies in this field. Additionally, they have held roundtables with industry and academics and created a network for regulators called the Engineering Biology Regulators Network.

The UK Biological Security Strategy has been renewed and the Biosecurity Leadership Council established. Early priorities for responsible innovation have been identified.  These include gene synthesis screening, convergence of engineering biology and emerging technologies (for example AI, automation and cyberbiosecurity), the culture of safe innovation, biodata security and horizon scanning.

In the coming months, the new Engineering Biology Steering Group will be established to support delivery of the National Vision for Engineering Biology.

Future Telecommunications

“Future generations of telecommunications technologies will underpin virtually every aspect of our digital society, public services, and economy and enable other critical technologies, including AI and quantum,” DSIT stated.

Throughout 2023, DSIT continued its mission to roll out digital infrastructure across the UK.  Core to this mission is Project Gigabit – the government’s £5 billion programme to bring lightning-fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach communities across the UK. Over 20 contracts were awarded to deploy gigabit-capable broadband which represents £2 billion of investment.

In April 2023, the UK government published a Wireless Infrastructure Strategy to provide nationwide 5G connectivity by 2030. The Strategy also includes the UK’s vision for 6G telecommunications.  DSIT has ensured that international agreements, such as the Global 6G Framework and the future allocation of spectrum agreed at the World Radio Conference 2023, are aligned with the UK’s 6G vision.  In addition, the UKRI Future Telecoms Technology Missions Fund was launched in October 2023 to support early-stage research and shape the standards for 6G technologies.

The government has also announced a grant funding programme, up to £160 million, to support UK-based companies in pursuing significant commercial opportunities in the satellite communications market.  Trials have been launched to explore broadband provision in hard-to-reach areas using Low Earth Orbit satellites.

Furthermore, they have granted funding to 19 consortia from the Open Networks R&D fund for the development of open interface telecommunications architectures and funded the creation of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network to foster collaboration and innovation in the telecommunications industry.

Lastly, the UK has formed the Global Coalition on Telecommunications – with representatives from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and Japan – to facilitate cooperation on future telecommunications issues.

Semiconductors

Semiconductors are the core component of all electronic devices. They are also essential to advancing other technologies, including AI and quantum technologies.

The UK government has announced its National Semiconductor Strategy, with plans to invest up to £200 million between 2023 and 2025, and up to £1 billion in the next decade.

They have also launched the Semiconductor Advisory Panel to help shape and implement the strategy.

The government has also formed partnership agreements with the US, Japan, and South Korea to foster collaboration and strengthen supply chains.  Furthermore, the UK has led its first semiconductor business delegation to Taiwan and conducted a study to improve infrastructure access for startups.

DSIT has also funded the Digital Security by Design programme to enhance digital technology and infrastructure.

Over the coming months, the government will “deliver more international partnerships and deepen our collaboration with existing international partners, including multilaterally through the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).”

Quantum Technologies

The UK has been an early leader in quantum technologies, with the £1 billion National Quantum Technologies Programme running since 2014.

“Today, we have quantum computer applications which promise to develop new products and medicines; quantum-enhanced imaging devices for more accurate and speedier diagnosis of tumours; more sensitive quantum sensors for scanning brains and detecting underground infrastructure, and quantum communication networks which enable faster and more efficient transfers of information,” DSIT states.

The UK has published a National Quantum Strategy, to become a global leader in quantum-enabled technology. The strategy includes an investment of £2.5 billion over 10 years, with an additional £1 billion of private investment.

Five Quantum Missions have been announced, focusing on healthcare, computing, sensing, timing and communications.

The UK is also investing £70 million to develop quantum computing and positioning technologies, including procuring testbeds for the National Quantum Computing Centre to provide quantum computing infrastructure to UK businesses. Additionally, there are plans to accelerate the development of quantum network technologies and launch a Quantum Catalyst Fund to promote the adoption of quantum technologies in the public sector.

Collaboration agreements have been signed with Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands, and new research projects are set to begin through the QuantERA programme, connecting UK academics with researchers in 10 other countries.

A Quantum Skills Taskforce has been established to address the sector’s skills needs and a UK Quantum Standards Network Pilot has been launched.

The UK also hosted a National Quantum Technology Showcase, inviting 27 companies and organisations from 8 countries to invest in the UK’s quantum sector.

Too Much Technology is Not a Good Thing

When the Framework was published, it was welcomed by the technology sector. TechUK was pleased that the government was recognising the “significant value the tech sector brings to the UK economy and society.”

Is the technology sector adding value to society?

The technologies chosen by DSIT in its UKSTF are also techUk’s key business areas.  As such “techUK will be working very closely with DSIT going forward to help fulfil the missions set out in the Framework.”

So, what are techUK’s business and views on the key technologies identified?  You can find out more by following the links at the end of their article HERE and browsing the webpages.  It’s not cheery reading.  One of their webpages sums it up:

Quantum has been identified as a key emerging and transformative technology that will have an impact on the UK’s long term digital and economic future. In the coming years, Quantum will have the potential to enable smart cities, revolutionise healthcare systems and drive innovation in key industries. To prepare for this future techUK believes now is the time to bring the wider technology sector into the discussion about the UK’s quantum future and how we plan for success. [Emphasis added]Quantum, techUK

“How we plan for success”? Who’s success? This is profit over people and proves why the private sector should not be allowed to influence public policy decision-making – they are pursuing profits and have no regard for people’s inalienable rights and freedoms, or our lives and livelihoods..

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