The UK’s science superpower ambitions rest on its ability to leverage frontier technologies

The UK ’s science superpower ambitions rest on its ability to leverage frontier technologies.

Technologies such as AI and quantum will herald a new era of disruption accelerating scientific progress, transforming warfare, and spurring competition between nations.

If the UK fails to leverage its strengths, it will miss out on a profound opportunity and risks drifting into vulnerability.

The UK ’s semiconductor sector faces a significant skills gap, with some companies operating well below headcount needs and facing challenges to hire staff with the skills they need.

Low salaries and high cost of living discouraging international talent are compounding the issue.

Investing in public goods requires increasing access to compute and making public datasets AI-ready.

There is a pressing need for talent combining AI , biology, and engineering expertise.

Better facilities to support scaling are needed with a deficit across Cambridge and Oxford of two million square feet .

UK should build niche leadership in chip design and next-generation chips such as compound semiconductors.