Theresa May: artificial intelligence can be a ‘weapon’ in cancer research
Prime minister to pledge millions to fund technology that could save tens of thousands of lives every year

Theresa May will unveil plans today to fund artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could save countless lives by spotting early signs of cancer and other diseases.
In a speech during a visit to Macclesfield, in Cheshire, the prime minister is expected to pledge millions of government funds to research and develop the technology. The move will also create a number of skilled jobs.
According to The Guardian, May will say: “Late diagnosis of otherwise treatable illnesses is one of the biggest causes of avoidable deaths.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
AI’s ability to identify diseases “with a higher degree of accuracy than is possible by human beings” could make the technology a “new weapon” for the NHS and medical researchers, she will continue.
The data and technological advances needed to help cut cancer deaths are already available, but a system has not yet been set up to bring everything together, says Sky News.
The plan now is to develop an AI system that can cross-reference patients’ medical records, plus information about their genes and lifestyle, with national data in order to spot those who may be at an early stage of cancer.
This could prevent around 22,000 cancer deaths a year by 2033.
British Heart Foundation boss Simon Gillespie is among those backing the funding boost. He told the BBC: “Using artificial intelligence to analyse MRI scans could spot early signs of heart disease which may be missed by current techniques.
“This could lead to a quicker diagnosis with more personalised treatment that could ultimately save lives.”
However, there are still “many challenges ahead”, says the broadcaster. These include creating the “right infrastructure within the health service”, as well as ensuring people’s “highly personal data” is handled responsibly.
Sky News reports that the Government has already invested £1.4bn into the “grand challenges” programme, which are a set of four targets, including the growth of AI, aimed at improving the UK’s industrial position in the world.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Anshu Ahuja's golden coconut and butter bean curry recipe
The Week Recommends Plump, creamy beans in a sweet, spicy sauce
-
The treasure trove of platinum on the moon
Under the radar This kind of bounty could lead to commercial exploitation
-
Sudoku medium: June 23, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Unreal: A quantum leap in AI video
Feature Google's new Veo 3 is making it harder to distinguish between real videos and AI-generated ones
-
Will 2027 be the year of the AI apocalypse?
A 'scary and vivid' new forecast predicts that artificial superintelligence is on the horizon A 'scary and vivid' new forecast predicts that artificial superintelligence is on the horizon
-
College grads are seeking their first jobs. Is AI in the way?
In The Spotlight Unemployment is rising for young professionals
-
Disney, Universal sue AI firm over 'plagiarism'
Speed Read The studios say that Midjourney copied characters from their most famous franchises
-
Learning loss: AI cheating upends education
Feature Teachers are questioning the future of education as students turn to AI for help with their assignments
-
AI: Will it soon take your job?
Feature AI developers warn that artificial intelligence could eliminate half of all entry-level jobs within five years
-
The rise of 'vibe coding'
In The Spotlight Silicon Valley rush to embrace AI tools that allow anyone to code and create software
-
Is China winning the AI race?
Today's Big Question Or is it playing a different game than the US?