New UK Centre for AI-Driven Innovation launched at World Economic Forum

Imperial and the World Economic Forum today signed an agreement to establish a new UK Centre for AI-Driven Innovation - accelerating the responsible adoption of AI breakthrough to transform industries and boost economic growth.

Supported by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the new Centre will be hosted by Imperial College London and is the first World Economic Forum Global Centre to be based in Britain.  

A signing ceremony took place today at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos-Klosters between Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial and Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum and witnessed by Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade.  

The UK Centre for AI-Driven Innovation will advance AI adoption while reinforcing leadership in productive and responsible AI development. The Centre will explore opportunities for technology convergence, and scale breakthrough innovations across critical industrial sectors - from advanced manufacturing and life sciences to creative industries and professional and business services.  

Providing research-informed input into AI policy debates, it will support implementation of the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and serve as a neutral convening platform between government and industry, leveraging London’s global connectivity and talent base.  

Strengthening the UK's position as a global AI leader, the centre’s communities and initiatives will build on and contribute to the WEF's AI Governance Alliance, the largest public-private multistakeholder network of AI experts advancing responsible AI adoption, strengthening national competitiveness, and unlocking innovation across industries. 

The UK Centre was launched alongside new Centres in France, the United Arab Emirates and India and will join the World Economic Forum’s global network of independent Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network. The C4IR network bring together the public and private sector to explore exponential technologies and drive their responsible adoption and application.  

AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said: “AI is already transforming how we make products, discover new medicines and power innovation in areas like financial services. Scaling up adoption across these sectors and beyond is essential to boosting productivity, creating good jobs and driving Britain’s economic renewal. 

“The new Centre for AI-Driven Innovation will help make that happen – bringing together world-leading research, industry expertise and international partners to turn ideas into impact. It will also help us go further and faster in delivering on the AI Opportunities Action Plan – laying the foundations for the UK to strengthen its position as a true world leader and hub for innovation in the age of AI.” 

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial said: "At Imperial, we have a proud history of turning cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Our Centre for AI-driven Innovation builds on this track record - convening partners across academia, industry and government to deliver scalable, responsible AI adoption that benefits everyone across society.” 

Børge Brende, President and CEO, World Economic Forum said: “The launch of six new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution reflects the value of bringing governments, industry and experts together around shared technology challenges. By contributing local and regional insights, partners strengthen a global effort to advance emerging technologies responsibly.”