Thoughts here are my own

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the decision by the new Labour government to shelve £1.3bn of funding promised by the previous Conservatives leadership for tech and AI projects will cast a long shadow over the future of AI, and scientific compute, innovation in the UK.1 This move, while framed as a necessary adjustment to restore economic stability, underscores a deeper, more systemic issue: the vulnerability of technological advancement to the whims of political change.2

At the heart of this issue are two significant projects: an £800m investment in an exascale supercomputer at Edinburgh University and a £500m allocation for the AI Research Resource. These initiatives, unveiled with much fanfare less than a year ago, represented not just financial commitments but a vision for the UK’s role in shaping the future of global AI and Compute. The abrupt withdrawal of these funds not only halts progress but sends a message about the reliability of government support for innovation.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has cited “billions of pounds of unfunded commitments” as the rationale behind these “difficult and necessary spending decisions.” Yet, I cannot help but ponder the long-term implications of such decisions. The tech sector, as well as those in tech in traditional industries, thrives on consistency, long-term planning, and, most importantly, trust in government policies. Abrupt shifts in funding and priorities not only disrupt ongoing projects but can deter future investment and innovation.

Let us be clear - if we do not do this work, others will. They will be handsomely rewarded.

The exascale supercomputer project at Edinburgh University is a case in point. Touted to be 50 times faster than any current computers in the UK, its potential to revolutionize fields such as AI, drug discovery, climate change research, and more is immense. The university’s commitment, evidenced by a £31m investment in infrastructure, speaks to a belief in government promises — a belief now met with uncertainty.

This scenario is not unique to the tech sector but is particularly poignant within it due to the rapid pace of technological change and the global competition for leadership in AI and computing power. It’s about fostering the scientific breakthroughs that drive economic growth and societal improvement. The UK’s retreat from these commitments risks not just immediate projects but its standing in the global tech arena.

Moreover, this situation highlights a broader challenge: how to insulate technological innovation from political instability? The tech sector’s importance to the UK economy demands a strategic approach to policy-making — one that transcends party lines and election cycles.

While governments must indeed make tough fiscal decisions, it is crucial that these decisions do not undermine the foundational pillars of future growth and innovation. The shelving of £1.3bn in tech and AI funding serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of progress in the face of political change. As the UK navigates these challenges, I hope for a renewed commitment to technology and innovation — not as partisan issues but as national priorities essential for economic stability and growth.3 The path forward should be marked by collaboration, foresight, and a dedication to securing the UK’s place at the forefront of technological advancement.

  1. I am reminded of a letter written to the Gaurdian by my old PhD supervisor during the early 2010s - in the context of wider austerity. While I might not agree with all, it is key to see this question of spending money to make money is not unique to this government or event to this decade. ↩︎

  2. As was the issue with access to EU science funding following Brexit ↩︎

  3. Do we need to fear to Quatum Computing Commitment too? ↩︎