In support of a UK Centre for AI and the Creative Industries: University of Edinburgh statement in support of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre proposal to the UK Government

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30 March 2021 University of Edinburgh statement in support of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre proposal to the UK Government We fully support the proposal by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) led by Nesta for a strategic investment in a UK Centre for AI and the Creative Industries as a part of the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review. The supporting report makes a compelling case for this essential gateway to research and development in AI for the creative industries, access to training and skills development for businesses, and commercial development for AI creative start-ups. We welcome the encouragement to invest in clusters outside London. We note that the Spending Review contained an announcement of “£45 million for programmes to drive growth through digital technologies and data, while improving online safety and security”. The Spending Review also included commitments to invest a total of £14.6 billion in R&D in 2020/21 and reiterates the Government’s commitment to invest 2.4% of GDP in R&D by 2027. The creative industries have been one of the fastest growing parts of the economy in recent years. A Centre for AI and the Creative industries represents a great opportunity for the government to support the growth of a world leading UK sector in a digital technology central to its future. We therefore welcome this announcement and call on the Chancellor to prioritise the centre for AI and the Creative industries in this investment.