London AI Innovation Census launched by Sadiq Khan

The Mayor of London and AI research centre CognitionX plan to conduct a study into the potential of AI technology and how it's already being used by companies based in the capital to solve problems.

It will highlight the support businesses need to grow the industry sector, including developing and deploying solutions, fnding the right talent to fill skills gaps and closing barriers to adoption, such as security concerns.

"This report will help to uncover the opportunities to unlock innovation and investment in London, in order to maximise the economic impact of AI on the city," Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said. "It will also identify the challenges we face in positioning the capital as the best place to start, grow or relocate an AI business. Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform almost every industry across the capital."

The study will call upon businesses working in the AI space to explain how they're developing technologies to solve problems and make life better for Londoners.

"London is in a strong position in the data economy and is already home to innovative, fast-growing companies like Deepmind, CityMapper and Satalia not to mention the kind of work being done to improve public services, such as the data-driven approach to understanding rent arrears emerging through Hackney Council's partnership with Pivigo," Khan continued.

Businesses that want to get involved in the research can fill in a form on CognitionX's website, offering information about how they've deployed AI and how they anticipate using it in future. The information will be collated in the report and distributed at AI festival CogX on the 11th and 12th of June as well as appearing on the Mayor's Tech Map London platform.

"We all need to understand what AI is, what it isn't and how we can benefit," Charlie Muirhead, founder and CEO of CognitionX said. "At CognitionX we are on a mission to democratise access to information on AI and this report is an important part of CognitionX's commitment to being the most trusted source of advice on all things AI.

"All successful organisations will need to take advantage of artificial intelligence, but it is a complex, fragmented and ever-changing domain and we want to help ensure a responsible transition to an AI-driven society."

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.