Google to Invest $6.8 Billion in UK’s AI Sector
A day before the state visit by US President Donald Trump to the UK, the American tech major Google on Tuesday said that it will invest $6.8 billion in the UK over the next two years, a move aimed at meeting the surging demand for AI services and providing a significant boost to the government.
The funds would go towards the company’s capital expenditure, research and development and encompasses Google DeepMind with its pioneering AI research in science and healthcare,” Google said.
The US tech giant also announced that its new data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire will be inaugurated by the UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, amid growing demand for Google’s Cloud, Workspace, Search and Maps services. Google’s latest investment is expected to create 8,250 jobs annually at its UK businesses.
The UK’s Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the substantial investment in research, development, capital expenditure, and engineering as a ‘vote of confidence’ in the UK economy and the strength of the UK’s partnership with the US, creating jobs and economic growth for years to come.
This follows reports that OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT, and Nvidia are also set to announce billions in UK data centre investments this week, amid Donald Trump’s visit.
Rachel Reeves said: “This Government is reversing decades of underinvestment that has held us back for too long, by slashing burdensome red tape, delivering bold reforms of the planning system and investing in better tech to unlock better jobs and opportunities.”
DeepMind co-founder and chief executive Demis Hassabis said that they founded DeepMind in London because they were aware that the UK had the potential and talent to be a global hub for pioneering AI.
“The UK has a rich history of being at the forefront of technology – from Lovelace to Babbage to Turing – so it’s fitting that we are continuing that legacy by investing in the next wave of innovation and scientific discovery in the UK,” Hassabis added.
New Data Centre
Meanwhile, Google said that the company was deepening its roots in the UK with the opening of the new data centre.
The new data centre is part of $6.8 billion investment including capital expenditure, research and development, and related engineering over the next two years – and encompasses Google DeepMind with its pioneering AI research in science and healthcare.
“Google is growing its infrastructure responsibly. The company has also signed an agreement with Shell to manage its UK carbon-free energy portfolio and deploy its innovative battery technology to store and feed surplus clean energy back into the grid at times of need — bolstering the nation’s energy resilience,” Google said.
This is another milestone in Google’s long-term commitment to the UK’s AI growth and leadership, and unlocking extraordinary opportunities for Brits through technology, Google added.
