The UK Government has invested a total of £147 million into the Made Smarter Innovation challenge to help UK manufacturing become more productive and competitive through the innovation and diffusion of digital technology.
In a world faced with the looming danger of climate change, the InterAct Network also needs to support manufacturing's efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
Whilst technology is important, there are many social and economic factors that will be hugely influential in achieving these aims. The InterAct Network has two primary roles:
1. Develop and support the creation of an effective digital innovation ecosystem to accelerate the innovation and diffusion of Industrial Digital Technologies.
2. Ensure that the full range and depth of social and economic science insights are accessed across the Made Smarter challenge and wider UK manufacturing sector