The use of artificial intelligence is once again at a national crossroads. The UK government’s latest AI Action Plan comes with considerable ambition, promising to transform public services, supercharge the economy, and uphold national security.

In my years as a software engineer, electronics designer and AI (artificial intelligence) researcher, I've seen countless brilliant ideas fall by the wayside. Not because they weren't good enough, mind you, but because the traditional path from concept to market is fraught with financial pitfalls and unexpected outcomes.