The UK government has introduced a comprehensive plan to integrate artificial intelligence into key sectors, aiming to drive economic growth, enhance public services, and create thousands of jobs. The AI Opportunities Action Plan, launched today, includes 50 recommendations from tech adviser Matt Clifford, all adopted by the government.
Backed by £14 billion in private-sector investments, the initiative is expected to generate over 13,000 jobs. Major contributions include Vantage Data Centres’ £12 billion expansion, creating 11,500 jobs; Nscale’s £2.5 billion sovereign AI data centre in Essex; and Kyndryl’s tech hub in Liverpool, which will add 1,000 positions within three years.
The plan introduces AI Growth Zones, starting in Culham, Oxfordshire, to facilitate AI-related infrastructure development. These zones will target areas with strong local support and high power capacity, forming the backbone of the UK’s digital economy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the government’s commitment to making Britain a global leader in AI. “This plan lays the foundation for innovation, more jobs, and transformed public services,” he said, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in areas like reducing NHS waiting times, automating infrastructure maintenance, and cutting teachers’ administrative workloads.
The government aims to scale public computing capacity twentyfold, starting with a new supercomputer. A National Data Library will enhance secure access to public data for AI research, while an AI Energy Council will address the technology’s energy demands.
This initiative aligns with the UK’s broader Industrial Strategy, building on prior efforts like the AI Safety Institute launched in 2023. The plan cements the UK’s position as a global hub for AI, ensuring robust innovation and fostering an economy ready to lead the future.
