UK PM Keir Starmer Introduces AI Action Plan to Fix Ailing NHS

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a bold “AI Opportunities Action Plan” aimed at transforming the UK into a global leader in artificial intelligence. 

According to the government, with £14 billion in private investment commitments from companies like Vantage Data Centres, Nscale, and Kyndryl, the plan is expected to create over 13,000 jobs and modernise critical infrastructure to support AI growth. 

Introducing the initiative, Starmer said, “Artificial intelligence has the power to transform lives—from helping teachers focus on students to streamlining NHS care—and it’s time we harnessed it to deliver real change for working people.”

At the heart of the plan is the creation of “AI Growth Zones,” which will fast-track planning for data centres and other AI infrastructure while ensuring they have access to the energy grid. 

The government also said that it will increase the compute capacity twentyfold by 2030, beginning with the construction of a new supercomputer capable of processing AI tasks at unprecedented speeds. 

Additional measures include the development of a National Data Library to securely unlock the value of public data and the establishment of an AI Energy Council to meet the sector’s power demands sustainably.

Starmer highlighted the potential for AI to improve productivity and enhance public services. From accelerating planning applications to reducing administrative workloads for teachers, the plan aims to improve efficiency while driving economic growth. 

The International Monetary Fund estimates that AI adoption could raise productivity by up to 1.5% annually, with the potential to add £47 billion to the UK economy each year over the next decade. “Our plan will make Britain the world leader,” Starmer added, promising that the initiative would “turbocharge the Plan for Change, create jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.”

The UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan has been broadly welcomed by industry leaders, who see it as a practical step towards driving economic growth and innovation. Darren Hardman, UK CEO of Microsoft, called the initiative “what’s needed to boost growth and improve public services.” 

Companies like Darktrace and Anthropic recognised the plan’s focus on infrastructure and strategy as essential for maintaining the UK’s position in the global AI landscape. Industry leaders stressed the importance of prompt and effective implementation to maximise the plan’s potential benefits for the economy and public services.