In Coded Warning, Scientists Say Brexit May End U.K.'s Lead in AI

A group of prominent academics and tech executives fear that the U.K.'s exit from the European Union could jeopardize the U.K.'s lead in the development of machine learning technologies. British researchers have played a critical role in advances in machine learning -– a kind of artificial intelligence in which software learns from experience or data. But as demand for related expertise proliferates across industries, the country faces a "substantial skill shortage in this area," concluded a report published by Tuesday by The Royal Society, one of the world's oldest and most well-known scientific organizations. Although the report doesn't mention Brexit specifically, it implies that the U.K.'s decision to leave the European Union could exacerbate this skills gap. "As it considers its future approach to immigration policy, the U.K. must ensure that research and innovation systems continue to be able to access the skills they need," the report said.