The UK is aiming to strengthen its position in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector with the launch of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, a strategy to stimulate economic growth and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in one of the key areas of global technological transformation. The document builds on the initiatives launched in 2023 with the first AI Safety Summit in Bletchley Park and is a key building block for the development of artificial intelligence in the coming years.
The Plan consists of 50 recommendations hinged around three main pillars: infrastructure and technology investment, public-private synergy and positioning the UK as a global player in the AI market. One of the central objectives is the strengthening of computational capacity, a key aspect to support the development and application of AI in advanced sectors. Investment of more than £14 billion (around €17 billion) has been announced for the construction of data centres, a commitment that will also result in the creation of more than 13,000 jobs. To ensure effective allocation of resources, the plan calls for the creation of AI Growth Zones (AIGZs), strategic areas devoted to the development of data centres with improved access to energy and water resources. These zones will be located primarily in areas that already have an adequate energy infrastructure, such as the Culham Science Centre, but will also have the function of encouraging the reconversion of deindustrialised territories. In parallel, a reform of the regulatory framework is planned to facilitate the development of AI, while maintaining a level of competitiveness with the rest of Europe. In this context, the UK is following the development of the European AI Act, recognising its importance for the regulation of the sector.
The second pillar of the Plan aims to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, creating an environment conducive to nationwide adoption of AI. The model adopted, called ‘Scan>Pilot>Scale’, envisages a gradual approach to the integration of AI in economic and social activities, shifting from initial experimentation to large-scale deployment. A key element of this strategy is the creation of an AI Knowledge Hub, a reference point that will collect best practices, case studies and open-source solutions to facilitate access to AI in different sectors. The aim is to reduce the current barriers to technology adoption, thus fostering more inclusive and sustainable growth.
The third pillar of the Plan is dedicated to strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in AI. To achieve this goal, a mix of incentives, investment and academic programmes is envisaged to train a new generation of AI experts and to foster the attraction of talent from abroad. In this context, it is planned to fund scholarships for 100 students, both British and international students, with the aim of supporting research and the development of advanced skills. Investment in training is deemed essential to maintain the country’s competitiveness, in a sector where the availability of highly qualified staff is a decisive factor.
Despite the challenges of infrastructure planning and resource management, the Plan is a real opportunity to strengthen the UK’s role in AI and strengthen investment in the sector. Expanding the data centre network and increasing computational capacity are key steps to ensure technology development, with a positive impact on the country’s innovation and competitiveness. The outlined approach aims to create an ecosystem conducive to the growth of AI, with the support of public and private investment and a regulatory framework capable of adapting to the needs of a rapidly evolving sector. The focus on training talent and attracting professionals confirms the desire to make the UK a global reference point in artificial intelligence, with positive spin-offs for the economy and society in the long term.
