UK to Become a Leader in AI
The United Kingdom is set to become a "KI creator, not an AI taker" as the Prime Minister announced millions of pounds in funding for AI student training. This move aims to equip British students with the necessary skills to thrive in a future dominated by artificial intelligence.
Embracing AI
Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for the British audience to embrace "learning" and artificial intelligence. Jensen Huang, Managing Director of Nvidia, shared the stage with the Prime Minister and predicted that within the next 10 years, every industry in Great Britain will be a tech industry due to AI. Huang noted that Great Britain has one of the richest AI communities worldwide and is the largest country for AI investments, surpassing the USA and China.
Infrastructure Challenges
However, Huang pointed out that the UK currently lacks the necessary infrastructure to become a global AI superpower. He stated, "You cannot carry out machine learning without a machine. The ability to build AI supercomputers here in Great Britain will attract more AI startups and create a better ecosystem."
Recent Developments
Two British technology companies, Alphawave and Ionics, have agreed to takeovers of US rivals. This move is seen as a significant step towards establishing the UK as a major player in the tech industry. The government has also announced plans to increase the UK’s computer performance 20 times by 2030 and build a brand new supercomputer, after previously canceling a planned supercomputer due to funding issues.
Investing in AI Education
The government has announced a number of new investments in training for workers and students. A new "Techfirst" program will provide £187 million to equip secondary school students with AI skills for future jobs. Additionally, a program supported by Google and Microsoft aims to train 7.5 million workers in AI skills by 2030. Major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, IBM, NVIDIA, BT, and Amazon, have pledged to provide "high-quality" training materials for employees free of charge.
A Brighter Future
The Prime Minister emphasized that the government should be able to "look every parent in the eye" and promise that tech can create a "better future" for their children. By investing in AI education and infrastructure, the UK is taking significant steps towards becoming a leader in the tech industry and providing a brighter future for its citizens.
