On Tuesday, leading figures from the energy and technology sectors are scheduled to meet with government officials to discuss the UK’s strategy to enhance its AI capabilities as outlined in the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.
This initiative aims to position the UK as a dominant force in the global AI industry by bolstering the necessary data centres and computational power.
In January, the Prime Minister announced his vision for the UK to become an AI powerhouse, underscoring the creation of an AI Energy Council.
The council, which convenes for its inaugural meeting on Tuesday under the leadership of the Technology and Energy Secretaries, will explore avenues to augment the UK’s renewable energy production.
Participants in this pivotal gathering at Whitehall include industry stalwarts such as EDF, Scottish Power, Ofgem, and the National Grid, alongside tech behemoths like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Google, and the British semiconductor titan, Arm.
The meeting’s primary agenda is to set clear objectives for the council, particularly focusing on the enhancement of clean energy generation and AI infrastructure.
AI, recognised as a crucial driver of future technological advancements, demands significant energy for data processing and task completion.
The government’s initiative aims not only to foster economic growth by making the UK a leader in AI but also to ensure this expansion is managed in an ecologically responsible manner.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle remarked, “The AI Energy Council’s efforts are key to not just meeting our AI demands but doing so sustainably, thus sparking widespread economic revitalisation across all regions, in alignment with our Plan for Change.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband added, “Our strategy will transform the UK into a bastion of clean energy, essential for shielding consumers and catalysing economic growth, all integral to our Plan for Change. This council will play a crucial role in harnessing AI to innovate clean electricity generation across the nation.”
Conversely, Andrew Bowie, the acting shadow energy secretary, critiqued the approach, arguing that Labour’s strategy, despite its proclamations of support for UK AI, relies excessively on new bureaucratic structures.
He warned that such measures, combined with high taxes and an aggressive push towards net zero, are hindering economic growth and investment, noting that the UK currently has the highest electricity prices globally, a situation exacerbated by current government policies.
