What’s going on in the UK: 1-14 February

This week: animal research, AI oversight, framework update and more

Framework update

The government has updated its plan to make the UK a “science and technology superpower” by 2030. On 9 February, it reaffirmed the Science and Technology Framework’s focus on five technologies: artificial intelligence, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors and quantum technologies. It promised to increase UK participation in the £82 billion EU research funding scheme Horizon Europe, after officially rejoining the programme at the start of the year. The government committed to “strengthening and expanding” its science and technology partnerships with other countries—including Japan, South Korea and the US—and establishing new ones. The government also pledged to improve access to commercial research infrastructure to help UK companies to innovate.