This week, AudioStack's Co-Founder and CTO, Peadar Coyle, had the privilege of speaking at the UK House of Lords Select Committee on Scaling Up AI, Creative, and Tech. The session brought together leaders from the tech and creative industries, including Victor Riparbelli, CEO of Synthesia, and Simon Barratt, CEO of Cooperative Innovations Ltd, to explore how the UK can foster innovation and help SMEs and scale ups thrive in these rapidly growing sectors.

The discussion centered on unlocking the UK’s economic potential in AI and creative technology over the next five years. Here are the key takeaways from Peadar’s contribution:

1. Championing Ethical AI

As AI technologies advance, ethical considerations are becoming increasingly important. Peadar highlighted the challenges posed by growing regulatory scrutiny, particularly around training AI models on copyrighted data. While there are no easy answers, fostering responsible AI practices is critical for building trust and long-term success.

2. Investing in Talent and Compute

Scaling AI businesses requires access to two critical resources: top-tier talent and affordable computing power. Peadar pointed out that the limited availability of both can be significant roadblocks for SMEs and scale ups, making it harder for them to compete and grow in the global marketplace. Addressing these constraints will be key to unlocking innovation at scale.

3. Simplifying Support for Innovation

While the UK tech ecosystem benefits from government support schemes like R&D tax credits and innovation grants, Peadar noted that the processes for accessing these resources are often overly complex. For many SMEs and scale ups, navigating these programs requires dedicated staff, creating unnecessary friction that could slow growth. Simplifying these systems would enable businesses to focus on innovation rather than bureaucracy.

Looking Ahead

The session underscored the UK’s potential to lead in AI and creative technology by fostering collaboration between government and industry. By addressing key challenges, the UK can ensure its SMEs and scale ups have the tools and resources they need to scale and succeed.

At AudioStack, we remain committed to driving forward ethical, innovative solutions in AI-driven audio, empowering businesses to achieve their full potential.