Keir Starmer to Unveil Ambitious Plan to Make UK a Global Leader in AI
LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a bold vision for the UK’s role as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). In a speech on Monday, Starmer will outline plans to establish specialized zones for data centres and incentivize more students to pursue technology-focused degrees. This strategy is part of a broader effort to harness AI to drive economic growth.
Starmer’s speech will emphasize the importance of AI in boosting the UK economy. The government predicts that widespread adoption of AI could increase national productivity by 1.5% annually, equating to an additional £47 billion ($57 billion) per year over the next decade.
Ahead of his address, the government confirmed it would implement all 50 recommendations from the “AI Opportunities Action Plan,” a report by venture capitalist Matt Clifford submitted last year. This includes measures to expedite the construction of data centres, simplify planning permissions, and ensure energy supply to these facilities. The first of these new centres will be located in Culham, Oxfordshire, home to the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
“Our plan will make the UK the world leader in AI,” Starmer stated in a release from the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology. “This means more jobs, more investment, and more financial opportunities for people across the country.”
As global competition to become an AI hub intensifies, nations are grappling with how to balance innovation with regulation. Currently, the UK ranks as the third-largest AI market globally, trailing behind the US and China in metrics such as investment and patent filings, according to Stanford University.
Despite the optimistic outlook, the Labour government’s decision to implement the largest tax-raising budget since 1993 has raised concerns among some businesses. Additionally, the Bank of England’s recent forecast indicated that the UK economy stagnated in the last quarter.
Starmer will highlight how AI has the potential to revolutionize daily life, from expediting planning consultations to assisting small businesses and reducing administrative burdens for teachers, enabling them to focus more on teaching.
“In a world of fierce competition, we cannot afford to stand still. We must act quickly and decisively,” Starmer will assert.