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: [email protected]
techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity
The UK is a global leader in AI innovation, development and adoption.
AI has the potential to boost UK GDP by £550 billion by 2035, making adoption an urgent economic priority. techUK and our members are committed to working with the Government to turn the AI Opportunities Action Plan into reality. Together we can ensure the UK seizes the opportunities presented by AI technology and continues to be a world leader in AI development.
Get involved: techUK runs a busy calendar of activities including events, reports, and insights to demonstrate some of the most significant AI opportunities for the UK. Our AI Hub is where you will find details of all upcoming activity. We also send a monthly AI newsletter which you can subscribe to here.
Upcoming AI Events
Latest news and insights
Subscribe to our AI newsletter
AI and Data Analytics updates
Sign-up to our monthly newsletter to get the latest updates and opportunities from our AI and Data Analytics Programme straight to your inbox.
Contact the team
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi is the Head of AI and Data at techUK.
She holds over seven years of Government Affairs and Tech Policy experience in the US and UK. Kir previously headed up the regulatory portfolio at a UK advocacy group for tech startups and held various public affairs in US tech policy. All involved policy research and campaigns on competition, artificial intelligence, access to data, and pro-innovation regulation.
Kir has an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BA in both Political Science (International Relations) and Economics from the University of California San Diego.
Outside of techUK, you are likely to find her attempting studies at art galleries, attempting an elusive headstand at yoga, mending and binding books, or chasing her dog Maya around South London's many parks.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work. This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue
Visit our AI Hub - the home of all our AI content:
Enquire about membership:
Authors
