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In a significant policy shift, the newly elected UK Labour government has decided to retract £1.3 billion ($1.66 billion) in funding initially promised by the previous Conservative administration for various technology and artificial intelligence (AI) projects. This move has cast uncertainty over major initiatives, including the UK’s first exascale supercomputer.
Background: Conservative Government’s AI Vision
In late November 2023, shortly after hosting the world’s first AI Safety Summit, the Conservative government announced ambitious funding plans amounting to £1.3 billion for tech and AI projects. This included a £225 million ($273 million) investment in an AI supercomputer named Isambard-AI, designed to work in conjunction with Cambridge’s Dawn supercomputer, the fastest AI supercomputer in the UK.
The exascale supercomputer, slated to be hosted at the University of Edinburgh, was a key highlight of this announcement. The £800 million ($1.02 billion) project was expected to significantly bolster the UK’s computational capabilities, facilitating advancements in AI, drug discovery, climate change research, and more. Additionally, £500 million ($637.2 million) was allocated for the AI Research Resource (AIRR) to support computing power for AI.
Labour Government’s Reassessment
Upon taking office, the Labour government has cited “unfunded commitments” as the reason for shelving these plans. A spokesperson from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) stated, “We are absolutely committed to building technology infrastructure that delivers growth and opportunity for people across the UK. The government is taking difficult and necessary spending decisions across all departments in the face of billions of pounds of unfunded commitments. This is essential to restore economic stability and deliver our national mission for growth.”
Despite the rollback, £300 million ($381.6 million) in funding for the AIRR has already been distributed and will continue as planned. However, the future of the Edinburgh exascale supercomputer remains uncertain. The University of Edinburgh has expressed concern, with its principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Sir Peter Mathieson, urgently seeking a meeting with the science secretary to discuss the implications.
Industry Reaction and Future Steps
Andrew Griffith, the shadow science secretary, has criticized the decision, labeling it a “terrible blow to the UK tech sector.” He noted,
“During the election, Labour refused to commit to growing the amount the UK spends on research, yet that’s a core part of growing a modern economy. If DSIT can’t get the funds from the Treasury, this means university research can expect to be hit, too.”
In response to the funding cuts, the Labour government has launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan. This initiative aims to identify how AI can drive economic growth and bolster the UK’s technological infrastructure. The plan will focus on the necessary infrastructure, talent, and data access required to enhance AI adoption in both the public and private sectors.
Tech industry body techUK has urged the government to quickly propose replacement initiatives to maintain the UK’s competitive edge.
“In an extremely competitive global environment, the government needs to come forward with new proposals quickly. Otherwise, we will lose out against our peers,”
said Sue Daley, Director of Technology and Innovation at techUK.
Conclusion
As the Labour government recalibrates its spending priorities, the UK’s tech and AI sectors are at a crossroads. While the retraction of funding poses immediate challenges, the AI Opportunities Action Plan offers a pathway for future growth and innovation. The coming months will be crucial in determining how the UK navigates this transition and continues to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence and advanced computing technologies.
Source: The Guardian
