United Kingdom Prime Minister says that the country will adopt a plan incorporating all 50 recommendations from the government’s research agency.
Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has announced his intention to “mainline AI into the veins” of the nation through the full implementation of a 50-point artificial intelligence action plan and billions of dollars in investments from private technology firms.
The United Kingdom government announced on January 13 that it has consented to implement all 50 recommendations in a report submitted by Matt Clifford, the chair of the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) last year.
One suggestion was to establish AI Growth Zones, which would expedite the process of obtaining planning approvals for data centers.
The plan also involves the establishment of a new National Data Library with publicly available data to train AI models and the development of a supercomputer with the capacity to play chess half a million times per second.
The UK’s plan is being implemented in the context of intensifying competition in the AI sector, primarily among tech titans in the United States, and increasing scrutiny of the resources required to operate the technology, including water and electricity.
New data centers in the Dublin region of neighboring Ireland have been suspended until 2028.
The country’s grid operator has stated that the computer-filled structures consumed approximately one-fifth of the country’s electricity in 2023.
The United Kingdom government has also indicated that it plans to establish a specialized AI Energy Council to collaborate with energy companies and a new government department within the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT).
Vantage Data Centres, Nscale, and Kyndryl, three technology companies, have collectively allocated 14 billion British pounds ($17 billion) to the development of the AI infrastructure.
Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has directed all cabinet members to prioritize the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). He has also stated that the initiative will “inspire extraordinary change” in the country’s AI sector.
“The AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers.”
“In a world of intense competition, we are unable to remain indifferent.”
Starmer further stated, “To prevail in the global competition, we must act promptly and decisively.”
The UK government’s plan was enthusiastically received by technology titans such as Microsoft, Anthropic, and OpenAI.
Darren Hardman, the CEO of Microsoft UK, stated that the UK’s ambitious approach to AI development and adoption would contribute to economic growth.
Julian David, CEO of techUK, a trade association for the technology industry, stated that the government must act “at pace” in order to remain competitive, now that it has a plan.
The United States is presently the world leader in AI in areas such as research and infrastructure, as per the rankings of Stanford University.
The United Kingdom is ranked third, while China is ranked second.
“To foster new investment, the industry will require additional information regarding the implementation of this strategy within the next six months, particularly in light of the increasing competition from other nations,” David stated.
