Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has today announced the development of a UK AI hardware plan to secure Britain’s capability in the semiconductor technologies that underpin the full AI hardware stack.
She stressed the plan is a decisive move towards backing more British companies, especially in areas where we have real strengths and can build international leverage.
The Tech Secretary noted that 70 per cent of global AI compute is now controlled by just 5 companies.
Control over where AI systems are built, how they operate and who ultimately controls them is now fundamental to economic security, energy security and defence security.
“The development of a UK AI hardware plan is welcomed and is clear recognition that leadership in AI cannot happen without semiconductors and associated technologies.
"This is a strong and timely initiative, and it should be the foundation for sustained attention and investment into the world-class work already happening across the UK’s semiconductor and hardware ecosystem.
"The UK is well placed to capitalise on the global AI boom, with real strengths in chip design, photonics, compound semiconductors and advanced materials.
"Our priority must be backing British companies to scale, capture more of the technology stack, and translate innovation into economic growth."
Raj Gawera, Chief Operating Officer, UK Semiconductor Centre
Read the full announcement here.
