The UK government has announced the launch of a new Centre for AI Measurement which will be led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

As high-capability AI systems become more integrated into the economy, the government said the new centre will address the need for scientifically robust approaches for AI assurance, which is the process of identifying and mitigating risks before they impact businesses or the public.

The centre will enable industry, startups and researchers to collaborate and research as well as develop and pilot technical assurance tools with the aim of speeding up the time to market.

The NPL is the UK’s National Metrology Institute responsible for developing and maintaining the country’s measurement standards. The organisation said because of this it already plays a vital role in developing tools and approaches to increase confidence in AI.

By underpinning AI assurance with metrology, the government said the new centre will give the UK a competitive advantage and position the country as a global leader in AI adoption.

The new centre is part of the AI Assurance Innovation Fund, launched in September last year, designed to accelerate the development of secure, transparent and trustworthy AI technologies.

The NPL is also a founding partner of the AI Standards Hub, an initiative dedicated to shaping global standards for AI.

“The UK has world-class expertise in AI and through the creation of the Centre for AI Measurement, we aim to strengthen the UK’s leadership in developing and adopting secure and trustworthy AI,” said Dr Peter Thompson, CBE, chief executive of NPL, “As the UK’s National Metrology Institute, NPL will work with industry and lead in developing and validating scientifically robust technical AI assurance capabilities, ensuring the centre becomes an independent national resource that supports development of the UK’s AI technical assurance capabilities, economic growth and national security.”

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