Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP and Peter Kyle MP, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Science and Technology, have published the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.
The UK is currently the 3rd largest AI market globally. This Action Plan has been devised by the Government to signpost how the UK will shape the AI revolution now and in the future.
Laying the Foundations to enable AI
Data Centres form an integral part of the Government’s Action Plan to drive innovation and growth in the AI sector. The report states how the Government will establish AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) to facilitate the accelerated build out of AI data centres, which will include:
introducing a streamlined planning approvals process and accelerating the provisioning of clean power;
using AIGZs to drive local rejuvenation, channeling investment into areas with ‘existing energy capacity’;
quickly nominating at least one AIGZ and working with local regions to secure buy-in for further AIGZs that will contribute to local needs and;
considering other measures to accelerate buildout of data centres, such as offering central guidance, creating a bespoke planning use-class and considering the case for AI data centres to be eligible for relevant relief schemes that incentivise private sector investment.
Industrial Strategy
The AI Opportunities Action Plan also states how the Government intends to interlink AI with the upcoming Industrial Strategy to create a long-term planning strategy for AI and other technologies.
The Secretary of State Peter Kyle will make a Ministerial Statement on the AI Opportunities Action Plan to the House of Commons this afternoon, after 3:30PM.