UK and Canada sign AI compute agreement

The UK and Canada have signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on the computing power needed to advance AI research and development. 

The new Memorandum of Understanding on compute was signed in Ottawa by UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan and Canadian Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry François-Phillippe Champagne. It cements the two countries' partnership on AI by committing them to explore ways to give researchers and companies affordable access to the...

31 January 2024 | Artificial Intelligence

Google announces UK data centre to meet ‘growing demand’ for AI

Google has announced plans to invest $1 billion in a new data centre in the UK which it says will help to meet “growing demand” for its AI and cloud services.

The 33-acre site in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire will bring much-needed compute capacity to businesses, supporting AI innovation and ensuring reliable digital services for Google Cloud customers and general consumers relying on products like Search, Maps, and YouTube.

Ruth Porat, Alphabet's president and chief...

19 January 2024 | Artificial Intelligence

CMA sets out principles for responsible AI development 

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has set out its principles to ensure the responsible development and use of foundation models (FMs).

FMs are versatile AI systems with the potential to revolutionise various sectors, from information access to healthcare. The CMA's report, published today, outlines a set of guiding principles aimed at safeguarding consumer protection and fostering healthy competition within this burgeoning industry.

Foundation models – known...

19 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Is Europe killing itself financially with the AI Act?

Europe is tinkering with legislation to regulate artificial intelligence. European regulators are delighted with this, but what does the world say about the AI Act?

Now the outlines for the AI Act are known, a debate is beginning to erupt around its possible implications. One camp believes regulations are needed to curb the risks of powerful AI technology, while the other is convinced that regulation will prove pernicious for the European economy. Is it out of the...

18 September 2023 | Legislation & Government

UK’s AI ecosystem to hit £2.4T by 2027, third in global race

Projections released by the newly launched Global AI Ecosystem open-source knowledge platform indicate that the UK's AI sector is set to skyrocket from £1.36 trillion ($1.7 trillion) to £2.4 trillion ($3 trillion) by 2027. The findings suggest the UK is set to remain Europe's AI leader and secure third place in the global AI race behind the US and China.

The Global AI Ecosystem platform is developed with support from AI Industry Analytics (AiiA) and Deep Knowledge Group....

7 September 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

AI regulation: A pro-innovation approach – EU vs UK

In this article, the writers compare the United Kingdom’s plans for implementing a pro-innovation approach to regulation (“UK Approach”) versus the European Union’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act (the “EU AI Act”).

Authors: Sean Musch, AI & Partners and Michael Borrelli, AI & Partners

AI – The opportunity and the challenge

AI currently delivers broad societal benefits, from medical advances to mitigating climate change. As an example, an AI...

31 July 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

AI Act: The power of open-source in guiding regulations

As the EU debates the AI Act, lessons from open-source software can inform the regulatory approach to open ML systems.

The AI Act, set to be a global precedent, aims to address the risks associated with AI while encouraging the development of cutting-edge technology. One of the key aspects of this Act is its support for open-source, non-profit, and academic research and development in the AI ecosystem. Such support ensures the development of safe, transparent, and accountable AI...

26 July 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Google report highlights AI’s impact on the UK economy

A new report by Google emphasises that AI represents the most profound technological shift of our lifetime and has the potential to significantly enhance the UK's economy.

The report suggests that by 2030, AI could boost the UK economy by £400 billion—leading to an annual growth rate of 2.6 percent.

Steven Mooney, CEO of FundMyPitch, commented:

“If AI is projected to bring billions to the UK economy, then why on earth aren’t our start-ups and SMEs...

5 July 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI’s first global office will be in London

OpenAI has announced that it will establish its first international office in London.

The strategic move demonstrates OpenAI's commitment to expanding its operations, embracing diverse perspectives, and accelerating its mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity.

London, renowned for its exceptional talent pool, was chosen as the ideal location for OpenAI's international office. The city's vibrant technology ecosystem,...

30 June 2023 | AGI

EU committees green-light the AI Act

The Internal Market Committee and the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament have endorsed new transparency and risk-management rules for artificial intelligence systems known as the AI Act.

This marks a major step in the development of AI regulation in Europe, as these are the first-ever rules for AI. The rules aim to ensure that AI systems are safe, transparent, traceable, and non-discriminatory.

After the vote, co-rapporteur Brando Benifei (S&D,...

11 May 2023 | Artificial Intelligence