
The AI Opportunities Action Plan: UK government to invest £14 billion
Erin Bradbury - 3 February 2025
It’s always a good idea to start the new year with a plan for success, so in a move described to position the UK as a future rival of the US and China, the government has announced the ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan,’ committing £14 billion to support different projects and generate over 13,000 jobs. So, to boost economic growth and efficiency, the government will action 50 recommendations from tech investor Matt Clifford, Chair of the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (AIRR). PM Keir Starmer has said AI “will drive incredible change” as it “has the potential to transform the lives of working people.”
The key parts of the plan include the creation of a national data library for state-controlled data (AKA a sovereign AI drive); the creation of AI growth zones for datacentres using ‘clean power’ (with Amazon, Google, and Microsoft pledging to use nuclear energy); the establishment of a new AI energy council; furthering the use of AI in the public sector to boost productivity; and changes to the UK’s copyright laws to align with those of the EU. This would mean allowing AI firms to use copyrighted material so long as such copyright providers can opt out of the trawling process. This step has raised concerns over the protection of the rights of creatives and their work. However, what remains clear is that the government intends to attract investment in the UK’s technology industry by creating an environment that will welcome the development of artificial intelligence.