LONDON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- More than 50 leading technology companies and organizations have contributed to the development of an Artificial Intelligence sector deal worth 1.4 billion U.S.dollars, the British government announced Thursday.

The deal between the government and industry, announced by Business Secretary Greg Clark and Digital Secretary Matt Hancock, includes nearly 420 million U.S. dollars of private sector investment in AI in Britain.

The package includes 1,000 new government-funded AI PhDs aiming at keeping Britain at the forefront of innovation, building the UK status as a global AI research hotspot.

It also includes money for training for 8,000 specialist computer science teachers and a commitment to develop a prestigious global Turing Fellowship program to attract and retain the best research talent in AI to Britain.

The deal builds on a commitment made in the government's modern Industrial Strategy and its AIGrand Challenge, and marks the first phase of a major innovation-focused investment drive in AI.

The strategy aims to help Britain seize the 324 billion U.S.dollars opportunity AI offers British economy by 2030,which would amount to 10 percent of the country's GDP, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Business Department said in a joint statement.

Hancock said: "The UK must be at the forefront of emerging technologies, pushing boundaries and harnessing innovation to change people's lives for the better.

"Artificial Intelligence is at the center of our plans to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business. We have a great track record and are home to some of the world's biggest names, but there is so much more we can do. By boosting AI skills and data driven technologies we will make sure that we continue to build a Britain that is shaping the future.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: "AI provides limitless opportunities to develop new, efficient and accessible products and services which transform the way we live and work. Today's new deal with industry will ensure we have the right investment, infrastructure and highly-skilled workforce to establish the UK as a driving force in the development and commercial use of artificial intelligence technologies."