Starmer pledges to boost growth by making UK a ‘great AI superpower’

The British government announced plans on Monday to cut red tape hindering the construction of data centres critical for artificial intelligence, showcasing its “pro-innovation” approach to regulating the technology.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised AI’s transformative potential while unveiling a comprehensive plan to drive economic growth. He expressed his ambition for Britain to emerge as a leading AI superpower, competing with nations like the United States and China.

The 50-point plan, light on financial specifics, includes a significant expansion of public computing capacity. This will involve building a national supercomputer and establishing AI “growth zones” with streamlined approvals for data centre construction. “If you’re considering where to build your data centres, we’ll expedite planning permission and improve power access,” Starmer said.

Britain’s complex planning rules are often cited as barriers to major projects like data centres. Starmer’s Labour government, in power since July, has committed to reviewing local authority decisions that block such developments.

The government will maintain its “pro-innovation” regulatory stance by relying on existing industry regulators rather than adopting new AI-specific rules, as seen in the EU. It will also continue backing the UK’s AI Safety Institute, created to research advanced AI models and their potential long-term risks.