UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) supports the emergence, development and exploitation of disruptive technologies that have the potential for radical positive impact on our society and economy.
We support technologies at all stages from early emergence through to adoption and diffusion, building the necessary UK skills and leadership to secure long-term strategic competitive advantage.
Five critical technologies
The UK Science and Technology Framework identifies five critical technologies that the UK should focus on to ensure strategic advantage, as prioritised by the National Science and Technology Council, to deliver prosperity, security and benefits to the UK and global society.
UKRI is a critical national asset in helping to deliver against the framework, making the UK a science and technology superpower by 2030.
The five critical technologies are:
- artificial intelligence
- engineering biology
- future telecommunications
- quantum technologies
- semiconductors
How UKRI is investing in technologies
UKRI’s strategy 2022 to 2027 commitments are supporting these technologies through our investments. With initiatives like the UKRI Technology Missions Fund we aim to accelerate technology development, adoption and diffusion for the whole of science, policy and innovation.
We’re enhancing UK capabilities in transformative technologies through national and regional hubs, centres of excellence and research, and innovation clusters. These provide the technological foundations for collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
Through our targeted investments and full range of support for people, ideas and places we are helping to strengthen research and innovation in these technologies. This will help to address major national and global challenges across our net zero economy, health, resilience and productivity, in a responsible and sustainable way.
Collaborating with partners
We are working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), other government departments, the research base and industries to harness these opportunities and enhance UK capabilities and skills in transformative technologies.
We aim to support and deliver the government’s Innovation Strategy and its national technology strategies and visions, including:
- the national AI strategy
- the national vision for engineering biology
- the UK wireless infrastructure strategy
- the national quantum strategy
- the national semiconductor strategy
Last updated: 11 April 2024