Summary
The UK government has started investing in artificial intelligence (AI) through a new £500 million fund, aiming to support local AI companies and innovation. Despite concerns about job losses and cybersecurity risks, officials say AI presents an important opportunity to create jobs and solve major problems.
Key Facts
- The UK government launched a £500 million sovereign AI fund to invest in AI companies.
- The first investment was made in Callosum, a London-based company that helps different computer chips work together to improve AI performance.
- The government also invested in a second, unnamed AI business.
- Six UK AI startups are getting access to government-funded supercomputers to help develop AI models.
- Startups benefiting from supercomputers include Prima Mente (disease research), Cursive (autonomous AI agents), and Odyssey (AI world simulations).
- Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said AI will create new jobs even though some roles may be automated.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves said supporting UK AI companies helps keep competitive businesses in Britain.
- Callosum's co-founder highlighted the UK's strong universities and AI labs like DeepMind as reasons to build the company there.
