techUK perspective: harnessing AI in transport
As the industry responsible for the movement of people and goods, the transport sector affects everyone in society and is a foundation of our economy. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to drive huge improvements in this space, from improving efficiency and environmental performance, to creating better passenger experiences.
In order to support this transformation, techUK has outlined some key principles for harnessing the benefits of AI in transport following a workshop held with our members in September 2023.
Clarify to avoid confusion
AI can be a complex area. In order to avoid confusion, transport authorities and providers adopting AI systems should be working to clarify a number of core aspects set out below.
- Defining AI: In many cases, there is a need to align understanding of what AI encompasses and the different levels of AI, including artificial general intelligence (AGI), machine learning (ML) and Generative AI. Clarifying these concepts is crucial for informed decision-making.
- View AI as a tool: AI in transport should be seen as a tool that augments human intelligence rather than replacing it. Human expertise remains essential for making important decisions in many transportation scenarios, however AI can be extremely beneficial in improving productivity, accuracy and decision making across a large number of use-cases. This is important to highlight within the labour-relations debate surrounding the transport sector.
- Identifying the use-case: Identifying clear use cases, and relating these back to wider organisational goals, is crucial for effective implementation of AI in transport. In addition, prioritising user needs is a fundamental principle, with a focus placed on designing and implementing solutions that address passengers' preferences, such as sustainability, affordability, and convenience. Establishing a clear timeline or roadmap for AI adoption in transport can also help plan and coordinate efforts across the sector effectively.
The enabling factors
AI requires the right conditions to deliver the best possible outcomes for the sector. For transport, its vital we get these right.
- Data quality: The quality of data used in AI models is a primary determinant of their accuracy and reliability. The segmentation of transport’s data landscape means the industry faces a particularly complex challenge as information is often held in non-standardised formats and varying levels of completeness that would limit the capabilities of AI to drive system-level enhancements. The industry must unite in its effort to deliver on the ambitions of the Government’s Transport Data Strategy to maximise the benefits of AI in the sector.
- Regulation, responsibility and ethics: The power of AI in transport brings responsibility for its safe and ethical use. Concerns include issues like the liability of autonomous vehicles and the potential impact on employment in the sector. As AI technology evolves, regulations are essential to ensure safety, fairness, and ethical use. The Government published its pro-innovation approach for regulating AI within its AI White Paper. The approach is non-statutory and highlights five principles that regulators will have to implement to make sure AI is deployed safely and efficiently. The regulation of generative AI is also included in this approach.
- Public perception and communication: Public perception of AI in transport can influence acceptance and adoption. Research by the Alan Turing Institute found that the UK public has broadly positive views of most AI use cases, but many are concerned about relying too heavily on technology over professional judgements. Both transport businesses and government bodies have a duty to ensure that AI systems do not perpetuate bias, are inclusive and trustworthy, and explainable to the public in order to build trust.
Supporting adoption
To support adoption of AI in transport we must ensure that the wider environment a number of factors should be considered.
- Innovation in procurement: Innovation in transport, especially in AI, can lead to improved efficiency, safety, and sustainability. However, traditional procurement processes may not be conducive to fostering these innovations. Large frameworks and bureaucratic procedures can slow down or inhibit the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Therefore, there is a need for more agile procurement approaches and innovation funds to support creative solutions.
- Sustainable business models: There is a need to investigate and develop a sustainable business model for AI adoption. Models should be monitored continuously and adapted as necessary to ensure the best outcomes. It is therefore important to consider the operational expenditure and maintenance costs associated with AI, in addition to the upfront investment. This includes ensuring that existing technology stacks are prepared for AI integration, evaluating the commercial model to avoid lock-in and clarifying who will own the intellectual property.
- Implementation, collaboration and skills: Successful implementation of AI in transport often requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and technology providers. Ensuring that organisations across the transport ecosystem have the right level of data and digital literacy is also fundamental within this journey, as well as culture of continual learning through knowledge exchange and reporting best practice.
techUK looks forward to continuing the conversation around harnessing AI in transport in the months ahead. To develop the ideas further, we will be holding a series of deeper-dive events and workshop in early 2024. We also look forward to the publication of the Department for Transport’s AI Strategy that will set out how government intends to support AI in this sector.
If you would like to learn more about our work in this area, please contact [email protected].
Tech & Innovation series:
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Tech and Innovation Summit, 6 Nov (rescheduled date)
Emerging technologies will be debated and explored at our annual Tech and Innovation Summit, taking place on 6 November. This campaign week will directly feed into the themes discussed at the Summit.
techUK’s flagship Tech and Innovation Summit returns to traverse the extraordinary and ground-breaking discoveries made possible by the application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Upcoming events:
Gaming & Esports Technologies of the Future
National Videogame Museum, Sheffield Panel discussion
A Black Lens: Exploring Representation In The Future of Extended Reality (XR)
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Sprint Campaigns
techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).
Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK.
This campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.
Event round-ups
Report
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
This campaign has explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations is currently being produced (to be launched in September 2024).
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Upcoming events
Gaming & Esports Technologies of the Future
National Videogame Museum, Sheffield Panel discussionEvent round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this campaign will explore how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity will take the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and reports.
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Upcoming events
Event round-ups
Guest insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Campaign Weeks
Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
Summits
Tech and Innovation Summit 2023
Tech and Innovation Summit 2024
