Projections from the AI Opportunities Action Plan suggest a £47 billion (US$57 billion) annual economic impact over the next decade.
The comprehensive plan includes creating dedicated AI growth zones to accelerate infrastructure development and a pledge to increase server capacity twentyfold by 2030, including construction of a new supercomputer.
Three major tech companies — Vantage Data Centres, Nscale and Kyndryl — have already committed £14 billion in AI investments, expected to create over 13,000 jobs.
Starmer’s administration plans to make the most out of the government’s 500,000-strong civil service to drive AI adoption across public services. Early applications include accelerating breast cancer diagnosis in hospitals and improving infrastructure maintenance through automated pothole detection.
The initiative aims to streamline public sector operations while fostering private sector innovation.
“Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country,” Starmer said, citing potential applications from personalized education to simplified small business administration.
“Our plan will make Britain the world leader [in AI].”
This push comes as Starmer faces economic challenges, including weak growth and rising borrowing costs. The strategy also addresses growing global concerns about AI regulation, including misinformation and content manipulation risks.
