UK and US announce new science and technology partnership

Uk and USA flags on a blue sky background.The UK and US have announced a new partnership which will focus on strengthening the countries’ collaboration in the development of emerging technologies, following US president Joe Biden’s visit to the UK. This
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The UK and US have announced a new partnership that will focus on strengthening the countries' collaboration in the development of emerging technologies, following US president Joe Biden's visit to the UK.

The partnership, which has been agreed by president Biden and prime minister Boris Johnson under the newly-revived Atlantic Charter, will create new jobs within the technology and science sector, as well as increase the cyber security and safety of UK and US citizens.

The agreement also covers artificial intelligence (AI), the use of data in supporting economic growth, quantum technologies, as well as 6G connectivity.

Both UK and US officials will collaborate on developing the partnership over the course of the next year, with business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng describing the US as "our closest ally and most important research partner".

"The landmark new partnership announced today will deepen those all-important ties and ensure Anglo-American research can continue to develop new technologies to generate wealth and prosperity for the good of mankind for generations to come," he said, adding that the partnership will "address some of humanity's greatest challenges, from antimicrobial resistance to preparing for future pandemics".

As part of the meeting between the two leaders, Biden and Johnson have also agreed to take steps to tackle the evolving threats of the 21st century, including cyber warfare.

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Commenting on the announcement, home secretary Priti Patel said that "bolstering" the two nation's "security cooperation" will lead to the US and UK being able to "better combat terrorism, tackle illicit finance, dismantle the serious and organised crime groups who operate across our borders, and go after the individuals who prey on the most vulnerable in society, including our children".

The agreement follows Biden's warning issued towards Russia earlier this week, in which he said that the US "will respond in a robust and meaningful way if the Russian government engages in harmful activities".

Russian-backed hackers have been blamed for orchestrating recent cyber attacks on JBS Foods, Colonial Pipeline, as well as last year's SolarWinds hack, which notably saw cyber criminals access email accounts belonging to the Trump administration's head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Sabina Weston

Having only graduated from City University in 2019, Sabina has already demonstrated her abilities as a keen writer and effective journalist. Currently a content writer for Drapers, Sabina spent a number of years writing for ITPro, specialising in networking and telecommunications, as well as charting the efforts of technology companies to improve their inclusion and diversity strategies, a topic close to her heart.

Sabina has also held a number of editorial roles at Harper's Bazaar, Cube Collective, and HighClouds.