Nuclear energy could power Starmer’s AI revolution announced today.
The government is launching a dedicated AI Energy Council to ensure the country’s energy grid can support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Chaired by the Science and Energy Secretaries, the council will work with energy providers to tackle challenges such as AI’s significant electricity demands, supporting the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower.
Among them is a push for nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, to power the AI revolution. Public compute capacity will increase twentyfold, with work starting immediately on a new supercomputer.
The power is needed for the new AI Opportunities Action Plan, which includes a raft of measures to boost AI infrastructure and investment. The IMF predicts AI could increase UK productivity by 1.5% annually, contributing £47 billion to the economy each year.
Major tech firms are already backing the plan, with £14 billion in new investment announced. Vantage Data Centres will build data centres across the UK, creating 11,500 jobs. Kyndryl is establishing a new AI hub in Liverpool, adding 1,000 roles, while Nscale is investing $2.5bn (£2.06bn), to build the UK’s largest sovereign AI data centre in Essex by 2026.
The Prime Minister said: “Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people.
“But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race.”
The plan also includes a National Data Library to securely unlock public data for AI innovation and new AI Growth Zones, to speed up infrastructure development and Labour hopes, help position the UK, as a global leader in AI.
