New report: Project SAIL (Sovereign AI Leadership) - Moving from Ambition to Delivery

October 2026

Two years ago, the UK set out an ambitious vision to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. Since then, we've seen significant progress, but I've become increasingly convinced that the next challenge is not strategy. It's delivery.

That's why earlier this year I brought together a group of leaders from across the technology sector, including Microsoft, Nvidia, Cisco, BT, Barclays and OneAdvanced, to form the Project Sovereign AI Leadership (SAIL) Taskforce.

Our goal was simple: to take an honest look at what has worked, what hasn't, and what practical steps are needed next if the UK is to realise the full economic and social benefits of AI.

The result is Project SAIL: Mobilising the Nation, a report that argues the UK now needs a new approach to implementation. While government has set a clear direction of travel, success will depend on coordinating industry, local leaders, educators and communities behind a shared mission.

A key conclusion from our work is that public consent matters. AI cannot simply be something that happens to people. Communities need to see tangible benefits through jobs, skills, investment and opportunity. Without that, we risk seeing the kind of backlash against digital infrastructure that is emerging elsewhere.

The taskforce has therefore proposed a new "Prosperity Compact" alongside ten recommendations focused on compute, skills and sovereignty, areas that I believe will determine whether Britain can translate AI leadership into long-term economic growth.

As I write in the report: "AI is the defining technology of our generation, but realising its £75 billion economic potential requires genuine mobilisation of the entire nation. By establishing a clear Prosperity Compact between government, industry and local communities, we can build the infrastructure we need, equip our workforce with future-ready skills, and ensure Britain's digital destiny."

Having spent my career building technology businesses, I have never seen a greater opportunity for the UK. But opportunities do not become realities on their own. They require leadership, collaboration and action.

The challenge for the next two years is clear: move from ambition to delivery.

Read the full Project SAIL report here.