Jeremy Hunt's new 'Manchester Prize' seeks to reward best AI research with £1m

A new annual ‘Manchester Prize’ will be awarded for the most ground-breaking artificial intelligence research as part of efforts to help the UK become a global leader in the field.
By Chris Burn
Published 15th Mar 2023, 15:14 GMT

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the plan alongside his intentions for an “AI sandbox” to boost support for artificial intelligence businesses in the UK.

The Chancellor also explained his vision for a “quantum strategy” to support the future of computing during the Budget.

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Mr Hunt said: “We will launch an AI sandbox to trial new, faster approaches to help innovators get cutting edge products to market, work at pace with the Intellectual Property Office to provide clarity on IP rules so generative AI companies can access the material they need.”

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves Downing Street to present his spring budget to Parliament.Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves Downing Street to present his spring budget to Parliament.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves Downing Street to present his spring budget to Parliament.

Mr Hunt committed £900m to implementing recommendations for an Exascale supercomputer.

"The power that AI’s complex algorithms need can also be provided by quantum computing,” he said.

He added: “I also want to encourage the best AI research to happen in the UK so will award a prize of £1m every year, for the next ten years, to the person or team that does the most ground-breaking British AI research.

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"The world’s first stored-programme computer was built at the University of Manchester in 1948, and was known as the ‘Manchester baby’.

"75 years on, the baby has grown up, so I will call this new national AI award ‘the Manchester Prize’ in its honour.”

Related topics:Jeremy HuntBudget