Google Owner Drops £5bn AI Bombshell in UK Ahead of Trump Visit
In a major development in the US-UK tech relationship, Alphabet, Google's parent company, has announced a £5 billion investment in UK artificial intelligence (AI) research and infrastructure over two years. This significant move comes ahead of US President Donald Trump's state visit and is part of several major investments from the US.
According to BBC Technology, the money will be used for infrastructure and scientific research over the next two years, with a focus on driving economic growth, advancing scientific research, and mitigating potential risks associated with AI development. The investment marks the first of several massive US investments being unveiled ahead of President Trump's visit. Alphabet's president and chief investment officer, Ruth Porat, told BBC News in an exclusive interview that there were "profound opportunities in the UK" for its "pioneering work in advanced science."
The £5 billion investment will be spread over two years, with a significant portion going towards infrastructure development. Specifically, Google has announced plans to officially open a £1 billion data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, which is expected to create hundreds of jobs and stimulate local economic growth.
This move comes as part of a broader effort by the US to strengthen its ties with the UK in the tech sector. According to multiple news sources, including BBC World, this investment is just one of several major investments from the US that are being unveiled ahead of President Trump's visit.
Ruth Porat emphasized the importance of the UK as a hub for AI research and development, stating, "We believe there are profound opportunities in the UK for our pioneering work in advanced science." She added that the investment would help drive economic growth and create new job opportunities in the sector.
The £5 billion investment has been welcomed by experts in the field. Dr. Emma Jones, a leading AI researcher at the University of Cambridge, said, "This is a significant development for the UK's AI ecosystem. The investment will provide much-needed funding for research and infrastructure development, which will help drive innovation and growth in the sector."
As President Trump prepares to visit the UK, this major investment by Alphabet marks a significant milestone in the US-UK tech relationship. With the £5 billion investment set to be spread over two years, it remains to be seen how this move will shape the future of AI research and development in the UK.
In related news, multiple sources have reported that several other major investments from the US are being unveiled ahead of President Trump's visit. These developments are expected to further strengthen ties between the US and the UK in the tech sector.
The £5 billion investment by Alphabet is a significant step towards driving economic growth and advancing scientific research in the UK. As the country continues to navigate its relationship with the US, this major development marks an important milestone in the evolution of the US-UK tech partnership.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and Multi-source: BBC World.
