UK to accelerate data center approvals as part of AI agenda

Amid signs of economic recession, the UK is moving towards AI. On Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a new announcement . At the center of the initiative are “AI Growth Zones,” which the government plans to establish in industrialized areas across the country.

In these areas, the Labor government will accelerate the approval of data centers and provide access to the national grid. Starmer said the UK’s first AI Growth center would be set up in Culham, Oxfordshire, home of the Atomic Energy Authority. More episodes will be announced this summer.

At the same time, Starmer’s government plans to increase the number of government computers by a factor of 20, starting with the “immediate” construction of supercomputers with “enough AI power to play chess half a million times a second.” By November 2024, the UK has 14 supercomputers list, placing it behind – by a margin – the US and China.

In addition, the plan will see the government establish a National Data Library, which it says will make the country more attractive to investors by allowing private companies to “securely unlock the value of public information.” Finally, the new AI Energy Council will work with the energy industry to meet the energy needs of the AI ​​industry in a way that aligns with the government’s energy strategy.

“Artificial Intelligence will bring great changes in our world. Starting with individual education, supporting small businesses and keeping records, speeding up work planning, it can change the lives of working people,” said Starmer. “But the AI ​​industry needs a government on their side, one that doesn’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we can’t stand it.”

Over the next 10 years, the Starmer government estimates that its measures could generate $US47 billion ($57 billion) in annual economic growth. The announcement comes after the UK economy in the third quarter of last year. In that sense, making the country attractive to foreign investment isn’t such a bad idea – especially with companies like Microsoft planning to destroy it. on a new data center this year.