Businesses invited to exhibit in new London HQ for government's innovation department
Posted: Wed 9th Aug 2023
Science and technology businesses have been invited to showcase their products or services at the new London headquarters for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
DSIT was set up in February after prime minister Rishi Sunak split the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy into three separate departments.
It moves into a new headquarters in Whitehall, London later this year and businesses and organisations across the UK are invited to exhibit from early 2024.
DSIT said those firms who take part will see their work showcased to ministers, businesses, government officials, and influential individuals who visit the area.
They will also be promoted via the department's social media channels and at internal events.
Science and technology secretary Michelle Donelan said:
"UK businesses, universities and research organisations are already world leaders in their fields, from life sciences and engineering biology to quantum computing and AI.
"To seize on the potential for science and technology to keep our nation secure, our people prosperous, and our planet healthy, it is essential we place this work at the very centre of what we do in government – and hosting them in our new headquarters demonstrates our commitment to working hand-in-hand with the sector while opening up one more avenue for collaboration.
"These exhibitions will give us another opportunity to see first-hand how these technologies are improving the lives of everyone in the UK, and it will give those exhibiting a new platform to showcase their work, right in the heart of government."
The government aims for the UK to be "a science and technology superpower by 2030". The plans were set out in the UK Science and Technology Framework including over £370m to boost investment in innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence.
It has also launched the AI Taskforce to work on accelerating the UK's generative AI sector, while a government whitepaper released in March outlined plans "to guide the use of artificial intelligence in the UK, to drive responsible innovation and maintain public trust in this revolutionary technology".
Participants interested in the DSIT exhibitions will be asked to outline how they are contributing to the government's ambitions and to show how they will deliver improved public services, create new better-paid jobs, and grow the economy. Each exhibit will be in place for around one month.
Businesses and organisations interested in exhibiting can email exhibit@dsit.gov.uk to register their interest.
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