This appeal followed closely behind the Spring Budget of 2024, which unveiled a £100 million funding package over five years for AI research at the Alan Turing Institute, targeting healthcare, environmental protection, and defence and national security.

Levy, who previously secured more than £7 billion for film and television financing as CEO of an entertainment finance company, critiques the current AI strategy of the government for its lack of focus, suggesting it impedes the nation's goal of becoming an 'AI superpower'. As a media and technology entrepreneur, he argues that the UK should capitalise on its leading position in the creative arts to secure a unique spot in the AI domain. He highlights the UK's talent pool, increasing investments in TV and film studios, and its enduring reputation for producing top-tier entertainment as key advantages.

Tim Levy said: “It’s great that the UK wants to be a world leader in AI, but we need to lay out a clearer strategy with tangible steps to achieve that. So far, the Government has taken a scattergun approach. It claims to want to make the UK an ‘AI superpower’, but this is no more than a soundbite announcement if there’s no vision behind it.

“The Government’s funding packages for AI research, development, and infrastructure are commendable, but they aren’t enough to make us an ‘AI superpower’. The Spring Budget is the latest example of the Government throwing money at the wall and hoping it sticks. The sentiment is right, but £100 million over five years, spread across various sectors, isn’t going to make us a world leader in anything. 

“We can’t compete with the US in terms of raw funding – they're spending billions. That’s why we need to find a niche and set a vision for how we can be a world leader in this space. 

“Right now, the media, film, music, and entertainment space is relatively untouched by AI. There’s huge space for AI-led innovation here, but Silicon Valley, nor anyone else, is looking at this right now. It’s ripe for the taking.

“We have fantastic tech infrastructure, with top-rate universities and research centres, a great investment sector, and a wealth of entrepreneurs. Combine this with our creative excellence and world-leading reputation in the media, film, music, and entertainment space, and we can unlock a huge growth area. This is the niche we should be looking to own in AI. We have the talent and expertise to set the agenda in this space.

“We’re already a world leader in media, film, music, and entertainment, so why not use that as a base to develop and enhance our AI leadership?”

AI can be used to enhance human-made content and change how audiences interact with talent. For example, AI can be used to facilitate ‘real-time’ conversational interactions between users and talent based on pre-authorised, pre-recorded content.

Levy adds that the UK is at a distinct advantage when it comes to adopting AI in the entertainment space. Hollywood, which has been plagued by deep fake scandals and trust issues, is reluctant to adopt AI in any form. 

With the UK being praised as a global leader for early AI standards, according to a report by Oxford Information Labs, Levy believes the UK is best placed to roll out AI in entertainment responsibly.

Levy continued: “This will be a huge area of innovation over the coming years. Hollywood is reluctant to adopt AI, due to reputational issues and fears around job replacement. This gives us a window to get out in front.

“Having already taken the lead in AI standard and regulation, we’re perfectly placed to lead the safe and innovative deployment of AI in the entertainment space, as a high level of trust will be vital to the adoption of AI in the media, film, music, and entertainment sector.

“But what we need now to catalyse innovation in this space, and take the lead in this niche, is a vision from the top. We need government support to de-risk and incentivize investment in entertainment AI, and we need tailored regulation to ensure the safe adoption of AI into our thriving media, film, music, and entertainment space.

“More than anything, we need a vision. That’s why I’m calling on the Government to revamp its AI strategy and put an emphasis on becoming a world leader in AI technology for the creative arts.”