Select committee: Defence Committee
Conclusion 17
2nd Report - Developing AI capacity and expertise in UK defence
Published 10 Jan 2025
Addressed to Ministry of Defence
Defence Committee All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
In its response to this report, MOD should explain how the Integrated Procurement Model will bring about more regular development and deployment of AI-enabled defence systems. The Model should ensure that it becomes standard MOD procurement practice to consider how AI might deliver or enhance a given defence capability. The Model promises that decisions on major programmes will be informed by independent advice at the pre-concept phase; this advice should include an assessment of the project’s AI-readiness and how it could be AI-enabled. Engagement with industry on the new procurement model should extend beyond the traditional defence sector so that it reaches developers whose software could have dual-use potential but who may not have considered working with Defence before. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)
From: Defence Committee, 2nd Report - Developing AI capacity and expertise in UK defence (HC 590), 10 January 2025
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 4 April 2025.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government welcomes the report and agrees with most recommendations, in several cases in general terms or subject to the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.
- On the Strategic Defence Review, it "agrees in general terms" that specific actions should normalise AI use, though the response "cannot pre-empt the findings of the SDR".
- On the Defence AI Strategy, it believes it is "more pertinent to focus on shaping our future approach" and anticipates the need to refresh its strategic approach, while agreeing that specific, measurable actions will be essential.
- On a new fund to scale innovations, it says ongoing discussions with HM Treasury "prevent a direct response", and will raise the recommendation with the Treasury "where it is appropriate to do so".
- On the Digital Strategy for Defence, it "partially agrees" and plans a refreshed digital strategy with an implementation plan and metrics; it says the Digital Backbone has no completion date.