The UK government has announced a strategy that will improve the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities by launching a new Compute Roadmap aimed at transforming Britain into an “AI maker”
The Compute Roadmap outlines plans to accelerate economic growth, revolutionise public services, and deliver scientific breakthroughs through an expanded national computing infrastructure.
Supercomputing power to drive national priorities
A significant part of the Compute Roadmap involves a substantial upgrade in the UK’s computing power, which is crucial for developing and deploying AI technologies. The AI Research Resource (AIRR), featuring two of the UK’s most powerful supercomputers, Isambard-AI in Bristol and Dawn in Cambridge, is now fully operational.
These systems will provide the UK with the raw processing power needed to tackle major national priorities, such as improving healthcare, fighting climate change, and driving industrial innovation.
AIRR is capable of processing in one second what would take the entire global population 80 years to complete, and its capacity is expected to grow twentyfold by 2030. This scale-up will support high-impact AI projects and reduce the UK’s reliance on foreign computing infrastructure, ensuring the country remains competitive on the global stage.
Supporting the Plan for Change
The Compute Roadmap supports the government’s Plan for Change, with a focus on delivering improved public services, growing the economy, and creating opportunities nationwide.
With key AI initiatives already underway, including cancer screening tools at University College London and advanced chemical discovery models at the University of Liverpool. These projects are just the beginning, as AIRR’s power enables researchers to run computationally intensive AI experiments that were never possible before on British soil.
Projects aligned with the UK’s national interests will be prioritised for access to AIRR. These include initiatives in biosciences, foundational AI research, and sustainable materials—areas where the UK aims to lead.
Supercomputing centres and AI growth zones
The UK’s expansion will also be supported by a new network of National Supercomputing Centres, starting in Edinburgh. These centres will serve as regional hubs for AI expertise, connecting universities, businesses, and research institutions while fostering local talent development.
Meanwhile, Scotland and Wales will benefit from AI Growth Zones, attracting billions in private investment and creating thousands of jobs thanks to the Compute Roadmap.
These zones will feature fast-tracked planning for data centers powered by cutting-edge, low-emission energy sources, such as small modular reactors (SMRs). They will also act as innovation testbeds and training hubs to prepare the workforce for future AI-driven roles.
To maximise AI’s scientific potential, the government is also launching a new AI for Science strategy, which is due to be released in autumn. This initiative aims to enhance the adoption of AI across the research community and unlock commercial opportunities. An expert advisory group of leading scientists and industry figures will guide its development.
The Compute Roadmap works with the UK’s £1 billion investment in compute infrastructure, building on previous industrial and infrastructure strategies. With enhanced computing capabilities, the public and private sectors will be better equipped to harness AI for breakthroughs in medicine, energy, industry, and more.
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh said:
“To be named the UK’s first national supercomputing centre is a significant recognition of the University of Edinburgh’s longstanding leadership in advanced computing.”
Securing the UK’s AI sovereignty
A newly established Sovereign AI Unit, backed by £500 million, will oversee the UK’s efforts to build sovereign AI infrastructure and ensure continued leadership in global AI development. This includes strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing dependence on international compute providers.
