Growing the UK’s AI assurance market in defence and security
A thriving AI assurance sector could enable AI adoption and become a key driver of UK economic growth. Effective assurance processes allow for the rapid integration of AI into existing business structures and processes, which can contribute to economic growth across multiple sectors. In defence and security, AI assurance is vital for safe AI adoption in critical missions where decisions are high stakes. However, a range of factors currently limit both the supply of and demand for AI assurance services.
In a collaboration between the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) and the Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance (CSEP) at Imperial College London, this Briefing Paper provides an evidence-based analysis of the UK’s AI assurance market for Defence and Security (D&S). Drawing from interviews and focus groups, this paper describes the current state of AI assurance in national security, defence and policing organisations, highlighting strengths, challenges and possible mitigations. Addressing the supply and demand challenges discussed in this paper would boost confidence in the market among both providers and buyers of AI assurance.
Overall, this piece offers lessons from D&S to grow the AI assurance sector and advance the UK’s efforts to implement its AI Opportunities Action Plan to become a global leader in AI. Some key findings from this study include:
AI Assurance Approaches in Defence and Security
D&S is a diverse sector in AI assurance maturity, as it includes both early adopters and organisations at the start of their AI assurance journeys. This is due to a range of factors that vary across the sector, including: level of AI adoption; technical skills; infrastructure and testing capabilities; risk appetite; preference for in-house or external offerings; and level of engagement with external providers of AI assurance.
Drivers of Demand
Demand for AI assurance in D&S is driven by a desire to secure strategic and operational advantage from effective AI, the risk of high-consequence errors, policy requirements, and a need to assess AI providers’ claims. Demand for third-party assurance is driven by skills shortages in government organisations, a lack of resources, a desire for independent testing, and potential price advantages.
Challenges to Growing the AI Assurance Market
Supply of AI assurance in D&S is limited by information asymmetries, skills gaps, unclear regulatory guidance and a lack of long-term funding. Demand for AI assurance in D&S is constrained by confusion over assurance offerings, information-sharing barriers, cultural barriers, a lack of funding, and slow procurement processes.
Lessons from D&S for Other Sectors
D&S provides a case study with broader lessons for the UK as the country works to bolster its AI assurance market. This includes the need to: articulate sector-specific requirements; cultivate a market that caters for different levels of AI assurance maturity; develop initiatives to upskill key stakeholders; create mechanisms to disseminate best practice; and establish certification schemes for AI assurance providers.
The report can be found here: https://cetas.turing.ac.uk/publications/growing-uks-ai-assurance-market
For media enquiries, please contact the lead researcher: nkarner@turing.ac.uk
