Britain can lead the world in AI defence technology

The Prime Minister has made no secret of his ambition to establish the UK as a tech and science superpower. The recent AI Summit succeeded in putting Britain at the heart of global discussions on AI. Yet despite these aspirations, the current AI superpowers – those owning the most advanced Large Language Models and the computing power required to run them - all hail from Silicon Valley.

The UK may not have developed a true global competitor to OpenAI, Google’s Bard or Anthropic.

Where it can lead is in the application of AI, particularly in sectors where it already excels, such as defence. The UK AI Summit was hosted at Bletchley Park where Alan Turing and his team developed the first modern computer during the Second World War - a nod to the country’s strong track record in defence technology.

Amid an alarming rise in geopolitical conflict, there has been a surge of investor interest and government spending in defence technology from sensors and robotics to surveillance drones.

Research from Beauhurst found investment in UK defence tech companies almost doubled from £149 million in 2021 to £295 million in 2022, reflecting the urgent need to tackle new, more sophisticated threats and outpace adversaries with innovation.

But spending more money on technology is not enough. We need to fundamentally change the way the defence sector operates before we can really reap the benefits of technology. Procurement processes in defence are painfully slow and bureaucratic.

Drawn out over years, technology is frozen to a set of specifications from the start of procurement. These are normally drawn from a lengthy process of gathering and compiling requirements from multiple stakeholders, based on their operational needs. The process is designed for an age where we bought and operated mechanic- focused equipment, not software-enabled devices. But these days technology evolves so fast that products are obsolete by the time procurement is complete.

Government and industry need to adapt their operating models or risk being left behind – and being left behind in defence is a national security threat. They need to shift to an agile model, both for technology development and its adoption. This will enable rapid, iterative development of technology, equipping the UK with the latest and greatest innovations.

Only then will we be prepared to respond to modern threats from increasingly sophisticated adversaries and ultimately save lives. Think about it - we frequently update our phones and computers, so why are we satisfied with relying on years-old technology in defence when the stakes are much higher?

The outbreak of war in Ukraine was a wake-up call for governments and defence companies to the urgent need for agility. Procurement processes accelerated within weeks; some government departments even moved to an as-a-service model. The war also transformed attitudes: national defence budgets grew significantly and investors that once shied away from the defence sector, channelled money into defence tech start-ups. NATO launched a €1bn venture fund specifically designed to bolster the alliance’s technological advantage.

This trend will continue in 2024, and must endure thereafter. But we cannot just throw money at the sector and expect innovation to flourish. Government must adapt to operate more like a tech company and embrace a mindset of constant evolution and improvement.

At TEKEVER, our AI-driven unmanned systems are designed to provide customers across the globe with vital intelligence that can save lives. We cannot afford to slow the development of critical technologies like this with outdated systems and processes. As adversaries continue to exploit emerging technologies, the risk of stagnant innovation is not an option. The shift towards an agile model is not just about keeping pace with technological advancements; it is about future-proofing our defence capabilities and national security.