The United Kingdom is taking a significant stride towards bolstering its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, as it plans to allocate $130 million towards the acquisition of AI processors. This move is aimed at addressing the pressing issue of insufficient computational capacity for AI applications within the country.
A recent survey has revealed that a staggering 20% of businesses in the UK are grappling with inadequate computational resources to effectively harness the potential of AI. In response to this challenge, the UK government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is embarking on an initiative to enhance the nation's AI infrastructure.
In the midst of a global race to secure computing capacity, the UK government's plan involves investing $100 million to acquire thousands of computer processors, with the intention of propelling its AI ambitions. The strategy aligns with Sunak's vision of positioning the UK as a prominent AI tech hub.
The UK's ambitions extend beyond mere resource acquisition. A comprehensive plan to establish an "AI Research Resource" is underway, with a target to materialize this resource by mid-2024. This initiative is spearheaded by the UK Research and Innovation organization, which is reportedly in the process of procuring AI chips from major manufacturers such as NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD. An order for 5,000 NVIDIA graphic processing units (GPUs) is reportedly on the horizon.
Although the allocated budget for this endeavor stands at $130 million, there are indications that this figure might fall short of Sunak's broader aspirations for establishing a robust AI hub. As a result, discussions around securing additional funding are anticipated, potentially unfolding during an AI safety summit scheduled for November.
The impetus behind this investment lies in a recent study highlighting the challenges faced by businesses in adopting AI due to financial constraints and technical limitations. An independent assessment earlier this year revealed that the UK's investment in AI was lagging behind that of its international counterparts, particularly the United States and the European Union.
The call for action was echoed by experts advising the UK, recommending the immediate availability of at least 3,000 high-quality AI chips. This counsel comes at a time when demand for such chips is surpassing supply, illustrated by the scarcity of NVIDIA chips available for AI research purposes.
The push to enhance AI infrastructure underscores the recognition that the ability to accommodate AI workloads is pivotal in determining global leadership in the AI domain. As highlighted by S&P Global's recent AI trend report, addressing processing capacity issues will be a critical determinant in shaping the future landscape of AI, even as the technology is still in its nascent stages.