A government-commissioned report is set to suggest the UK creates special zones for data centers to make it easier to build the facilities.
First reported by the FT, angel investor Matt Clifford submitted an “AI Opportunities Action Plan ” to the government last month which is expected to be published in November.
In it, Clifford sets out dozens of recommendations on how to make Britain more attractive for companies developing machine learning technologies.
These include a proposal to create “computing zones” that would make it easier to build data centers and associated infrastructure — including energy supplies — in certain designated areas of the UK.
Clifford was appointed in July by the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle.
The plan has not been finalized and could still be subject to changes by the government.
Other proposals include improving the visa process for AI-related talent.
A government spokesperson said: “Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunities Action Plan will set out an ambitious vision for how the UK can use the technology to ramp up adoption across the economy, kick-start growth, and build an AI sector which can scale and compete on the global stage. We will set out our response in due course."
Since winning the UK election over the summer, the Labour Party has designated data centers critical national infrastructure and reopened previously-denied planning proposals for data centers set to be built on the UK’s Green Belt.
Since taking office the UK government has been attempting to woo more data center operators as it draws up a new Industrial Strategy to boost investment in Britain. Earlier this month, Cloud HQ, CyrusOne, CoreWeave, and ServiceNow announced pledges to collectively invest £6.3 billion ($8.22bn) in UK data center infrastructure.