Science secretary Liz Kendall has rejected suggestions that her Whitehall department is overly focused on artificial intelligence and deep tech at the expense of supporting the broader UK research ecosystem.

In her first select committee appearance since she was appointed secretary of state at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Kendall told MPs that two of her three main priorities were AI and technology-related: transforming public services using digital technology and ensuring the UK workforce is AI-trained, with plans afoot to upskill 7.5 million workers.

Her “overwhelming” priority at DSIT is supporting economic growth, she told the House of Commons’ Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on 3 December, stating there is “no route to significantly better growth…without science and technology being absolutely front and centre”.

This technology focus, alongside efforts to improve online safety being led by DSIT, prompted committee member George Freeman, a former science minister, to query whether other sectors of UK research might be being neglected.

̽����Ƶ

“It looks as though DSIT is becoming the AI deep tech department for modern government rather than the research department,” he said, noting the Labour government’s did not spell out which areas of research and technology would supported in the same way that the Conservatives’ “ plan had done back in 2013.

“The industrial strategy – I welcome it – but it’s pretty high level. It covers the vast majority of the economy – I am wondering where the robotics, advanced manufacturing, space, clean tech, materials, agri-tech is in all of this,” said Freeman.

̽����Ƶ

The criticism follows concern that Kendall’s predecessor Peter Kyle had focused largely on AI and online safety during his time at DSIT, with research policy left to science minister Patrick Vallance whose focus has been primarily on encouraging greater corporate R&D rather than addressing university research concerns.

Pointing to the bespoke investment plan for life sciences, , Kendall said she was “crystal clear that our world-leading life sciences are integral to this government’s strategy for growth”.

“We are, in R&D, doubling the amount of funding in critical technologies – that does include engineering biology as well as AI and quantum. So it is broad,” she continued, referencing her at the Science Museum last week.

On her broader ambitions for DSIT, Kendall explained “the reason that I have this focus on reforming public services and digital tech is that I think it is long overdue. And why I’ve focused on the safety and skills aspect, these things are happening so quickly, we have to give people the confidence on these things.

̽����Ƶ

“If you look at what Patrick Vallance has led on the life science plan and on R&D…We are world-leading and we are determined to continue on that. That is non-negotiable for our government.”

Addressing criticism that the UK government was becoming increasingly prescriptive in where research funding is directed, Kendall argued the government was right to take its current approach which would help make the public case for research funding.

“There is a false debate whether we are picking winners – which is wrong for government to do – or you just allow all curiosity-led research. It’s perfectly legitimate and right to say ‘this is taxpayers’ money and we should put it into growth sectors which have most potential for the country’,” Kendall said.

Asked how the success of DSIT might be judged in future years, Kendall said a good starting point was the amount of private investment that went into key research sectors.

̽����Ƶ

“I am a big fan of Tom Cruise – ‘Show me the money’, he said,” explained Kendall, referencing the actor’s famous line from the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire.

“We have had more venture capital investment in our AI tech and innovation sectors than France, Germany and Switzerland combined – where [this money] is going is important in building future success,” she said.

̽����Ƶ

“I want to see our world-leading researchers and universities holding their positions too,” she added.

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com