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The UK government has announced a bold move to fast-track the approval process for data centers as part of its new AI Opportunities Action Plan. This strategic decision aims to boost the country’s economic growth by making it more attractive to investors in the booming artificial intelligence industry.
As reported, the government will establish “AI Growth Zones” across de-industrialized areas, streamlining the planning approvals for data centers and granting better access to the national energy grid. The initiative is expected to generate a substantial £47 billion ($57 billion) in annual economic growth over the next decade.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the government will also construct a new supercomputer with immense AI processing power, comparable to playing chess half a million times per second. This increased compute capacity will be a significant step forward for the country’s AI sector, as it currently lags behind the US and China in terms of supercomputing capabilities.
Another crucial aspect of this plan is the establishment of a National Data Library, which will enable private industries to securely unlock the value of publicly available data. This move is designed to make the UK more appealing to investors, who are seeking a stable and supportive environment for their AI-related projects.
Furthermore, an AI Energy Council has been formed to collaborate with energy companies in meeting the growing demands of the AI industry while aligning with the government’s clean energy strategy.
In light of the stagnant economy, this initiative is seen as a necessary step towards revitalizing the nation’s economic growth.
Source: www.engadget.com
