The UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan presented a clear statement of intent to lead in the age of AI. Since it was published, there have been significant geopolitical, economic and technological developments – all of which heighten the importance of developing and deploying AI capability.
Central to this is the need for computing infrastructure that is fit for purpose, not just for today’s needs, but for the scale, speed and opportunities of the AI-enabled economy of the future. This roadmap sets out the government’s plan to put this infrastructure in place.
Our vision is to build a world-class compute ecosystem that provides a platform for innovation, growth and opportunity across the economy. It will be outcomes-driven with compute directed toward our highest priorities and most transformative opportunities. Our compute ecosystem will support a broad range of users, at the frontier of AI research as well as those adopting AI into their daily workflows. It will have a diverse and resilient mix of compute infrastructure services – spanning public and private systems, AI training as well as inference, national platforms and regional innovation hubs. Crucially, it will be dynamic and adaptable, evolving to support the technologies of tomorrow.
The government has committed up to £2 billion between now and 2030 to build a modern public compute ecosystem, building on the delivery of 2 new AI supercomputers that form the first phase of the AI Research Resource. We have already started the process to identify and deliver AI Growth Zones across the UK, building on the £44 billion of private sector investment in AI Data Centres over the last 12 months. We are also addressing the energy needs of AI through the AI Energy Council and committing to a new generation of advanced nuclear power projects.
To build on this momentum and ensure our ambition matches the rate of scientific and technological progress, we are delivering a 10-point plan that sets out our ambition and provides clarity and certainty to researchers, industry and investors alike.
1. Invest up to £2 billion to deliver a diverse, joined-up and user centred compute ecosystem – including over £1 billion to expand the AI Research Resource (AIRR) 20x by 2030 and up to £750 million for a new national supercomputer service in Edinburgh.
2. Establish National Supercomputing Centres to curate datasets, build software assets and deliver a skills pipeline to support a broad range of users to access and utilise computing power.
3. Partner with like-minded countries and computing centres to expand access to a broader range of research infrastructure, facilitating collaboration and skills and knowledge exchange.
4. Introduce a refreshed allocation model that targets compute toward the UK’s highest-impact research and innovation priorities, backing mission-driven research and strategic national goals.
5. Guarantee dedicated compute access for the Sovereign AI Unit and the AI Security Institute, ensuring the UK’s core AI functions have the capacity they need to lead.
6. Deliver large scale AI Infrastructure via AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) across the UK, ensuring the UK has the capability to support AI training and inference workloads.
7. Explore new models for delivering the energy infrastructure that powers AI, including through sustainable solutions such as renewables, advanced nuclear, and innovative grid solutions.
8. Harness AIGZs to deliver both national and local benefits across the economy, serving as platforms for innovation, adoption and collaboration through which AI capabilities are developed, trialled, deployed and scaled.
9. Support British companies to develop sustainable and secure compute technologies, using the AIRR and AI Growth Zones to provide access, testbeds, and opportunities to scale.
10. Establish compute as a priority area for the UK Sovereign AI Unit, supporting research and innovation in new computing paradigms to help British companies grow into global leaders.
Through these 10 actions, we will ensure that the UK’s infrastructure allows our scientists and innovators to thrive – and that the next great inventions, AI breakthroughs, and transformative ideas come from the United Kingdom.
Read the full roadmap below.
Source: UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-compute-roadmap
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