Department supports BT initiative to boost SMEs in developing solutions for public services and defence
The Cabinet Office has given its support to a competition, run by BT, for SMEs to develop ‘augmented intelligence’ solutions for public services, defence and retail.
The company is making £10,000 available to the winners of each category, plus the chance to work with BT’s industry experts for six months and membership of start-up and entrepreneurs’ group Tech Hub.
The judges for the competition include Alison Pritchard, chief operating officer of the Government Digital Service, and General Sir Chris Deverell, commander Joint Forces Command in the Ministry of Defence.
Deverell said the military sector is keen to learn from others such as fintech, and that it is looking for ways to “fully embrace digital”. He pointed towards the possibility of artificial intelligence and machine learning being harnessed for defence, and to develop into a “miltech” sector within the digital industry.
Margot James, the minister for digital, has expressed support for the initiative. "I look forward to seeing these ideas become reality and help improve our public services so everyone can benefit from the technological revolution as we build a Britain fit for the future,” she said.
The initiative is the latest in a series of BT Infinity Lab competitions. It is open for entries until 12 March and the winners will be announced on 24 April.
Image by Many Wonderful Artists, public domain through flickr
