LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce on Monday his vision for the UK to become the global leader in artificial intelligence, unveiling a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering innovation, increasing investment, and creating high-skilled jobs. The plan includes establishing dedicated zones for data centres and encouraging more graduates to pursue technology-focused degrees.
Starmer will highlight the potential of AI to drive economic growth, citing government estimates that fully integrating AI could boost productivity by 1.5% annually, equating to an additional £47 billion (US$57 billion) over the next decade.
Ahead of his speech in London, the government revealed its commitment to implementing all 50 recommendations from the “AI Opportunities Action Plan,” a report submitted last year by venture capitalist Matt Clifford. Key initiatives will include streamlining the process for building data centres by fast-tracking planning permissions and ensuring energy connections, with the first centre to be established in Culham, Oxfordshire, home to the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
“Our vision will propel the UK to the forefront of the global AI race,” Starmer said in a statement issued by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology. “This is about creating more jobs, attracting investment, and putting more money in the pockets of people across the country.”
As countries worldwide compete to establish themselves as AI hubs, the UK ranks third in global AI markets, behind the US and China, in terms of investment and patents, according to Stanford University data. However, concerns over the Labour government’s tax policies, including its highest tax-raising budget since 1993, and the recent economic slowdown, have raised questions about the impact on business confidence.
In his address, Starmer will emphasize that AI has the potential to revolutionize everyday life, from speeding up planning consultations to empowering small businesses and reducing administrative burdens for teachers, enabling them to focus on education.
“In a world where competition is fierce, we cannot afford to stand still,” he will assert. “We must act swiftly and decisively to ensure the UK leads in this transformative technology.”
