Chloe Smith, the Secretary of State’s good news speech to London Tech Week
London Tech Week is in full swing in the UK’s capital, and the country’s top tech workers are delivering key insights into how the nation is being shaped by future tech. This includes how our online infrastructure will be affected by advances, and how the Government is striving to guarantee that Britain is a great place to be for those working closest with developing technologies. Today, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Chloe Smith, took to the stage to deliver an inspiring speech about our leaders’ attitudes toward advancing technology.
A full transcript of Smith’s address can be found on the Government’s website, but don’t worry! We’re here to provide you with Smith’s insights and key points. The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology noted that the London Tech Week summit was a shining example of the UK’s dedication to developing technologies, “one that’s convened the best and brightest of the global tech sector,” one “that’s brought together many of the world’s greatest thinkers to debate some of the most pressing questions for our digital age.”
And they’re big questions. Speaking from Westminster’s Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Smith addressed inspirational founders, top business leaders, policymakers, investors and rising stars to engage in discussions on technologies that will unlock new opportunities and transform the future, as per the summit’s site.
Impactful innovation and visions of the next tech frontiers remain at the forefront of London Tech Week, with UK entrepreneurship, enterprise solutions and inclusivity leading the way.
– London Tech Week
Secretary of State notes the nation’s tech success
Smith was quick to highlight the nation’s successes in steering towards top tech talent. “I’ve certainly seen that first-hand in the events I’ve been part of this week,” she said. “Whether it’s the relaunch of Silicon Valley Bank UK as HSBC Innovation Banking and the multi-million-pound investment it’s feeding into our home-grown Fintech, Life Sciences and Consumer businesses so they can scale up and grow.”
“We have the largest tech sector in Europe and the third largest in the world behind the US and China.”
– Chloe Smith
She noted a new MoU (a memorandum of understanding) between the UK and Australia, established to diversify and transform telecoms for the better. “[It’s] an agreement that will boost the roll-out of more 5g networks and safe, secure, superfast broadband to communities even in the most far-flung of communities.” Just this week, the Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme was announced, one that will help councils across the country test new smart lamp posts; they will help extend mobile coverage and increase connectivity for both homes and businesses.
More good news
The Secretary of State celebrated the UK’s position as one of the most competitive countries for tech in the world, acknowledging that last year, the nation became the third country to date with a tech sector valued at $ 1 trillion. Smith went on to say, “It’s fair to say that when it comes to AI, Fintech and Bio-tech, the UK is consistently punching well above its weight, having created more billion-dollar ‘Unicorn’ tech start-ups than Germany, France and Sweden combined.”
As the leaders of the tech world unite in London, it’s clear to see that the nation’s capital is a home for next-generation tech and web technologies – even when the bright lights of London Tech Week dim for another year.
Heard any other inspiring stories from London Tech Week? Sound off in the comments!
Source: Secretary of State speech to London Tech Week.
Image courtesy of Tech Nation.
Want more on how next-gen tech and Web3 services are transforming our capital? Read Blockchain Takes Centre Stage at London VIP Media Dinner here.