Imperial: Landmark tech deal celebrated as new era for UK-US science and innovation

Following the signing of the first UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal, Imperial hosted a panel discussion between senior US and UK policymakers on the potential of the transatlantic partnership across critical tech sectors such as AI, quantum computing and nuclear energy. 

Addressing an audience of science, policy and industry leaders, the panel included Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Rt Hon Dr Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Michael Kratsios, Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The panel was moderated by Amanda Wolthuizen, Imperial’s Vice-President (Strategic Engagement and Communications). 

The tech deal promises to drive new breakthroughs and investment - with the panel hailing its potential in fields such as AI for healthcare and delivering cleaner energy.  

Imperial's San Francisco hub, Imperial Global USA, makes it easy for innovators partnering on both sides of the Atlantic to fund and scale their research and maximise Imperial’s potential as a force for good in the world.

Michael Kratsios, Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said: “We are beyond thrilled to be working with our closest partners and allies. This is a true manifestation of the special relationship that we have. I think it's important to remember this was the first and the most comprehensive tech deal we've ever done in this 47th Presidency and I'm not sure we'll ever do one as big again. 
 
“In the area of artificial intelligence, one thing that we're so excited about, particularly on the R&D front is there is an incredible way that our synergies of our R&D ecosystems can come together to drive far better outcomes than we could have done individually. We have incredible computing infrastructure in United States, here in in the UK you have incredible data sets around biology and life sciences that can be leveraged for joint R&D together. 
 
“I hope we can continue to work with all of great institutions around the world to make sure we have more young people interested in science.”  

Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “Here with life sciences, Imperial is leading the way on the new drugs and treatments and developments that could transform health and healthcare in this country. But I also think there's a really important role for us to look at how we use AI in education to give our young people hope.” 

The Secretary of State added: “We have incredible startups here.  We need to then scale them up and I am very interested in what more we can do to back brilliant British companies to expand and thrive.  
We need to do more to support startups to scale ups and that is something I think we need to focus on.”   

Rt Hon Dr Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said: “Imperial is doing a pretty good job of getting people here to interact and listen and engage with the very best of academia in the UK. We need to make sure you are unencumbered, free to be creative, imaginative and harness expertise as much as possible. This university is outstanding for commercialisation and spinouts, it is world class and leading.”  
 
The Secretary of State added: “I want everyone to be excited about technology and AI. I want every person in every part of the country to feel the benefits of AI, in their health, in their pocket and feel an excitement and optimism about the future as a result of how AI is being developed and deployed to their benefit.  

“We have the opportunity in the next decade to prevent diseases happening in the first place and cure them if they do emerge – the potential for that becoming a reality has just come a lot close because of the partnership we have signed between two nations.” 

The new tech deal has been warmly welcomed by Imperial’s President Professor Hugh Brady and Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise) Professor Mary Ryan. Professor Ryan opened the panel event: The Future of UK-U.S. Science and Technology Collaboration.   
 
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “Imperial is proud to be a global leader in science and technology, working alongside our partners to build meaningful collaboration and drive innovation. The tech prosperity deal promises to be a catalyst for a new era in science cooperation between the UK and US. 

“Imperial Global USA, our pioneering San Francisco science and tech hub, is a platform for research and innovation partnerships that will transform global challenges in food security, climate change, clean technology and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. 

“Support for closer collaboration between the U.K. and US will help institutions such as Imperial to make an even bigger impact with our partners across the Atlantic and turbocharge innovations that will benefit society and the wider economy.” 

Last year Imperial launched a science and technology hub in San Francisco to support transatlantic partnerships. 

This article was first published on 19 September by Imperial College London.