The new Labour government has decided to shelve £1.3bn of funding that was promised by the Conservatives for technology and artificial intelligence projects. This move puts the future of the UK’s first next-generation supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh in doubt. The government argues that these were “unfunded commitments” and is taking difficult spending decisions to restore economic stability.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology stated that the funding had not been allocated in its spending plans and that difficult decisions are necessary to deliver the national mission for growth. The shadow science secretary, Andrew Griffith, expressed disappointment in the decision, warning that it could be the start of Labour cuts that negatively impact the UK tech sector.
The University of Edinburgh, where the exascale supercomputer was to be hosted, is seeking urgent meetings with the science secretary. The university emphasized the importance of the supercomputer in advancing research in various fields, including artificial intelligence, drug discovery, and advanced engineering.
Trade body techUK urged the government to come up with replacement proposals for the supercomputer to ensure that the UK does not fall behind in the global race for cutting-edge technology. The government plans to launch an action plan to drive economic growth through AI and is expected to launch a consultation on an AI bill. Experts are calling for a more comprehensive AI strategy that goes beyond safety and advanced models to ensure that the UK remains competitive in the field of artificial intelligence.
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