Automation and artificial intelligence are expected to have a greater impact compared to the Brexit situation.
In a significant move, the UK government has taken the lead in addressing the potential dangers and ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. Last month, both the UK and US governments published reports outlining the impact of AI on society in the coming years.
The first interview in the Innovation Spotlight video series was with Kit Cox, CEO of Enate, who emphasised the significance AI will play in transforming and shaping future societies. Cox believes AI will not replace humans in the service industry but rather enable them, a stance that counters the fears of job loss.
Cox, who has been vocal about the need for immediate discussion about AI, closed his thoughts with the saying, 'Failure to prepare, prepare to fail'. He emphasised the importance of discussing AI, learning about it, and accepting it for successful human integration with machine intelligence.
One of the government's strategic initiatives is a partnership with OpenAI, signed in July 2025. This deal aims to equip education, justice, and security sectors with the latest AI technology, making taxpayer-funded services more efficient and effective. The partnership also supports AI research and infrastructure development in the UK, creating high-paid tech jobs and ensuring Britain plays a central role in developing and deploying AI safely and aligned with UK standards.
To prepare the next generation for a technology-driven world, the UK launched an AI Literacy Curriculum in June 2025 for teaching and learning staff in tertiary education. This curriculum is part of a wider program focused on building confidence, competence, and critical awareness of AI among educators.
Moreover, the government has prioritised expanding powerful compute capacity – essential for AI research and innovation – through its Compute Roadmap. Edinburgh has become the first National Supercomputing Centre, and plans for AI Growth Zones in Scotland and Wales are underway, expected to attract private investment and create thousands of jobs.
However, challenges remain, such as ensuring AI model training happens within the UK to secure economic benefits and align with sensible copyright rules. Overly strict copyright policies may hinder AI progress and innovation domestically.
Despite the potential job losses due to automation, Cox acknowledges that the dangers are not as extreme as the Skynet scenario implied by Stephen Hawking in his speech. He suggested charging less for university courses surrounding technology to incentivize young adults and meet the market's need for more recruits.
The UK government's approach integrates partnerships with leading AI firms, targeted education programs to upskill teaching staff, and substantial investments in AI infrastructure to prepare education and the workforce for AI and automation's pervasive impact. This proactive stance positions the UK well for a future shaped by AI and automation.
[1]: Source for the strategic partnership with OpenAI [2]: Source for the challenge of ensuring AI model training within the UK [3]: Source for the investment in compute infrastructure and AI Growth Zones [4]: Source for the AI Literacy Curriculum for education staff
Technology and artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in the education-and-self-development sector, as the UK government has launched an AI Literacy Curriculum for tertiary education staff and partnered with OpenAI to equip various sectors with the latest AI technology. Kit Cox, CEO of Enate, emphasized the importance of personal growth through understanding and accepting artificial-intelligence for successful human integration with machine intelligence.
