The UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week, aiming to solidify the nation’s position as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and “make our country an AI superpower.”
To realise this vision, building security, confidence and trust in AI is essential. The AI Opportunities Action Plan focused on assurance, with the security of data, models and outcomes key to scaling AI adoption with confidence. This is a positive reinforcement of the UK Government’s Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR), which launched at the end of 2024.
Last year, we proudly joined LASR – a national initiative and world-leading partnership with Oxford University, The Alan Turing Institute, Queen’s University Belfast, Plexal, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and intelligence agencies to boost UK AI resilience and foster growth.
Plexal will play a fundamental role in building and convening the nascent AI security ecosystem. To do so we’ll be drawing on our network of over 10,000 individuals, SMEs and industry partners, propelled by the research and expertise of world-leading academic institutes.
Our focus is on leading engagement with industry – big and small, local and global – creating the environment and conditions necessary to address real-world AI security needs, building confidence, AI security capability and capacity, and driving adoption in the market
With people, purpose and place at the heart of everything we do, today we’re excited to detail several key initiatives designed to accelerate the AI security sector in the UK.
Collaborate and innovate at the LASR Hub
Innovation thrives in a collaborative environment and one month ago, we announced our plan to introduce a dedicated space in London for AI security innovation. Now, we’re officially opening the LASR Hub on Monday 20th January, a shared office space designed to foster alliance and innovation in the rapid-growth field of AI security.
Located at Plexal Stratford on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the LASR Hub is a dedicated resource for individuals and teams across the UK working at the intersection of security and AI. The space is complimentary as we want to empower innovators with the tools, inspiration and community needed to make a real impact in the complex and evolving AI security domain.
Find out more and apply to use the LASR Hub.
Supporting the next generation of AI security products
With years of experience in supporting SMEs and founders to build world leading businesses, we curate innovation programmes to support mission objectives – as a true collaborator with no incentive or desire to take equity or IP ownership.
As part of our role in LASR, we’re now recruiting for LASR Validate, the first AI security government-funded programme designed to support innovators to explore the next generation of AI security products. This is an exciting opportunity to get involved in LASR at the outset, helping shape the future of this market and accelerate adoption of AI in the UK.
Convening a community of interest exploring the future of AI and security
We’re gearing up for our first LASR Lates event on Wednesday 29th January, an evening at Plexal Stratford that will explore the security risks posed to AI and the opportunity for innovation.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, tech innovator, AI or cyber security professional, policymaker or simply curious about the intersection of AI and security, this event is your chance to connect, collaborate and shape the future as part of an energetic community. Join us on the night as we set about tackling the big questions and unlock new opportunities in AI security together, with speakers including:
- Josh Collyer, Principle Security Researcher at The Alan Turing Institute
- Angela Cross, Head of Defence and National Security at Dell Technologies
- Louise Axon, Research Associate at University of Oxford
- Peter Garraghan, CEO and Co-Founder at Mindgard
- Darren Lewis, Senior Innovation Lead at Plexal (facilitator)
Saj Huq, CCO and Head of Innovation at Plexal and member of the National Cyber Advisory Board, said: “The adoption of AI presents tremendous opportunities for economic growth and societal benefit but, as with any disruptive technology, increasingly presents novel threats too. Plexal is proud to be part of this world-class partnership that will deliver essential work to mitigate the increasing real-world risks associated with AI.
“In keeping with this, we’ll drive the secure adoption and development of breakthrough solutions that can further enhance the resilience of both public and private sectors, creating new vectors for the growth of the UK’s world-class tech ecosystem too.”