Microsoft Commits £2.5 Billion Investment into The UK’s AI Future
London, UK – Microsoft, a pioneering figure in modern technology, has unveiled a landmark £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) investment plan that will significantly bolster the United Kingdom’s artificial intelligence (AI) landscape. The commitment encompasses a strategic expansion of data centre infrastructure, extensive training programmes for over one million individuals entering the AI workforce, and support for the burgeoning AI safety and research initiatives.
Expanding the AI Infrastructure
In an era where AI is a transformative force, Microsoft has chosen to underpin its dedication to the United Kingdom’s AI potential by substantially expanding its data centre facilities. The company aims to more than double its current footprint across sites in London and Cardiff, possibly extending into northern England. This ambitious endeavour is poised to create over 20,000 AI-related jobs, fortifying the nation’s position as a burgeoning AI hub.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak heralded this historic commitment, announcing it alongside £29.5 billion of investments in innovative sectors at the Global Investment Summit. He proclaimed, “Microsoft are one of the founding fathers of modern technology, and today’s announcement is a turning point for the future of AI infrastructure and development in the UK.”
Investing in AI Skills and Education
.@Microsoft is committed as a company to ensuring that the UK as a country has world-leading #AI infrastructure, easy access to the skills people need, and broad protections for the safety and security.https://t.co/qtTrjH9IS9
Microsoft’s commitment extends beyond infrastructure, encompassing a multi-million-pound investment to equip one million people with the skills required to thrive in the AI-driven economy. These comprehensive training programmes will cater to a wide range of individuals, from those seeking AI careers to industry professionals seeking advanced training.
The programme, developed in collaboration with various learning and non-profit partners, will foster AI fluency, nurture technical skills in AI, support AI-driven business transformation, and advocate for AI’s responsible development and use. Furthermore, it will offer the first-ever Professional Certificate on Generative AI, ensuring professionals adhere to ethical AI principles.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt commented on this investment, stating, “The UK is the tech hub of Europe with an ecosystem worth more than that of Germany and France combined — and this investment is another vote of confidence in us as a science superpower.”
AI Safety and Research
Microsoft’s commitment to the UK’s AI future also extends to AI safety and research. The company will expand its Accelerating Foundation Models Research (AFMR) programme, offering the UK’s scientific and research community prioritised access to Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). This initiative will foster interdisciplinary research on AI alignment and safety, beneficial AI applications, and AI-driven scientific discoveries in various fields.
The UK’s leading universities, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, UCL, Bath, and Nottingham, will actively participate in this endeavour, harnessing the power of AI to accelerate scientific discovery through multiscale multimodal data generation.
Securing AI’s Future
Microsoft’s investment in the UK’s AI landscape represents a watershed moment, signifying the nation’s rising prominence in the field. By expanding infrastructure, nurturing AI skills, and fostering research, Microsoft is paving the way for the UK to become a global AI leader. As Clare Barclay, CEO of Microsoft UK, aptly put it, “As business and the public sector embrace the AI opportunity, we are building the infrastructure that will support the growth they need, training the people who can deliver it responsibly, and securing our society against emergent threats.”
With this substantial investment, the United Kingdom is poised to thrive in AI, leveraging technology and innovation to drive economic growth and make the world a better place through responsible and transformative AI applications.
