How can Wales harness artificial intelligence to create new economic opportunities, build on its existing strengths and develop a competitive advantage rather than simply follow what everyone else is doing?
That is one of the central questions being explored in a new AI, Tech & Innovation evidence report produced by INFORM Wales, a Business News Wales initiative, which will be distributed to more than 200 government ministers, senior officials and industry stakeholders.
The report forms part of a new programme designed to strengthen the flow of evidence and insight between business, industry and government, ensuring that the experience of those working at the forefront of technological change can help inform Wales’s future economic priorities.
Rather than focusing solely on the adoption of artificial intelligence, the publication examines the wider strategic opportunity for Wales and how emerging technologies could be used to build on the country’s existing industrial capabilities, research expertise and business strengths.
A central consideration is whether Wales can develop a more distinctive approach to AI and innovation, identifying areas where technology could create new economic advantages, support emerging industries and help established sectors become more productive and competitive.
The report draws on the inaugural INFORM AI, Tech & Digital Editorial Board, held at Aberthaw in September, which brought together senior representatives from technology businesses, innovation organisations, industry networks and the public sector.
Participants included representatives from CSconnected, Cyber Wales, Perago, de Novo Solutions, Vantage Data Centers and the Welsh Government, alongside entrepreneurs and specialists working across Wales’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
The discussion explored a range of issues influencing the future of AI and technology in Wales, including business adoption, digital skills, investment, infrastructure, cybersecurity and the challenge of translating technological development into wider economic benefits.
One of the key strategic questions emerging from the discussion was how Wales could make better use of its existing strengths and capabilities to identify opportunities where AI and emerging technologies could deliver meaningful economic value.
The report also considers the practical challenges facing businesses seeking to adopt new technologies, including access to expertise, workforce capability, investment and the ability to identify applications that deliver measurable productivity improvements.
While AI is already creating opportunities for businesses to improve efficiency, reduce costs and develop new services, the wider challenge is ensuring that more Welsh businesses have the knowledge, confidence and support to harness those benefits.
The findings have been developed into two publications.
A shorter policy-focused report has been prepared specifically for ministers, senior civil servants and government stakeholders, highlighting the principal strategic opportunities, barriers to progress and areas where further consideration could help Wales maximise the economic potential of AI and innovation.
A more comprehensive evidence report provides greater detail on the issues explored, the perspectives contributed by industry participants and the wider implications for Wales’s technological and economic development.
Both publications form part of a quarterly reporting programme intended to provide government with a continuing source of independent, evidence-led intelligence from businesses and organisations working across Wales’s AI, technology and innovation sectors.
The reports are also designed to encourage a wider conversation about how Wales can move beyond technology adoption alone and consider the industries, capabilities and economic opportunities it wants to develop through AI.
INFORM Wales has been developed as a sister initiative to Business News Wales, extending the organisation’s role beyond reporting on economic developments to gathering, analysing and distributing intelligence that can support more informed decision-making.
