The UK government has announced a significant plan to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) sector, pledging £14 billion ($17 billion) in investments and creating 13,250 jobs. The “Plan for Change” aims to accelerate public sector services, establish geographic “AI Growth Zones,” and promote the development of AI infrastructure such as data centers and research areas.
The plan is based on 50 recommendations laid out by venture capitalist Matt Clifford’s “AI Opportunities Action Plan” in July 2024. Key initiatives include naming Culham, Oxfordshire, as the first “AI Growth Zone,” increasing public compute capacity by twentyfold, and working on a new supercomputer.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that AI will drive “incredible change” in the country, emphasizing the need for a government that supports the industry. The plan also includes the creation of a National Data Library to store and use public data for AI development, as well as an Energy Council to address the energy demands of AI.
While some investors welcomed the announcement, others raised concerns about the need for cohesion across government policies, incoherent current policies, and insufficient funding. Despite these reservations, the plan is seen as a significant step towards establishing the UK as a leader in AI development and promoting national renewal.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/13/uk-throws-its-hat-into-the-ai-fire