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UK PM Starmer's AI Plan Aims for 20-Fold Computing Increase, £14 Billion Investment, and 13,250 Jobs

Jan 12, 2025, 10:40 PM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil the AI Opportunities Action Plan on Monday, aiming to position Britain as a global leader in artificial intelligence. The plan includes a 20-fold increase in the UK's computing capacity by 2030, facilitated by the construction of a new supercomputer in partnership with the private sector. The initiative also involves the creation of AI 'growth zones' starting in Culham, Oxfordshire, to expedite planning approvals for data centers and enhance energy grid access. Additionally, a national data library will be established to train AI models using public sector data, including NHS data, with privacy protections in place. The government has secured £14 billion in private sector investment for AI infrastructure, expected to create 13,250 jobs. Starmer has emphasized the need for rapid action to compete globally in AI development, urging Cabinet ministers to prioritize AI adoption within their departments. The comprehensive 50-point plan aims to transform the UK into an AI superpower and includes strategies to develop a homegrown rival to OpenAI.