The future of the UK’s first next-generation supercomputer. The new Labour government has shelved £1.3 billion of funding promised by the Conservatives for technology and AI projects.
The projects, which was revealed last year. Include £800 million for the University of Edinburgh to build an exascale supercomputer and an additional £500 million for the AI Research Resource. It provides funding for AI computing power.
These, according to the government, were “unfunded commitments.” The previous government had promised the funding, according to the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology, but it had not been included in its spending plans.
“We are committed to developing technology infrastructure. That offers growth and opportunity for people across the UK,” a spokesperson said.
“With billions of pounds in unfunded commitments. The government makes tough, but necessary spending decisions across all departments. To fulfill our country’s development mission and restore economic stability, this is imperative.
The AI Research Resource has already received about £300 million in funding. The more still being allocated according to schedule.
Although officials had informed ministers, that the department was likely to underspend its budget for the current financial year, Andrew Griffith, the shadow science secretary, claimed otherwise when the election was called.
The plan will test the talent pool, infrastructure and data access needed to encourage the public and private sectors to adopt AI.
Vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Prof. Sir Peter Mathieson, has clarified that he needs to speak with the science secretary immediately.
The University of Edinburgh was set to host the first next-generation supercomputer in the United Kingdom, which would be 50 times faster than any current machine and capable of one billion billion calculations per second. Archer2, the nation’s current national supercomputer, is housed at the university.
“University of Edinburgh Leading in UK supercomputing for many years. To fully realize the potential of this technology for business, government, and society. We are prepared to collaborate with the government to support its next phase in the UK.” a university spokesperson.
TechUK, a trade association, pushed the government to propose alternatives for the supercomputer.
According to Sue Daley, director of technology and innovation at techUK, “the UK had sent clear signals about its ambitions to host a new generation of computers to enable cutting-edge research, including in AI. “The government needs to act quickly to introduce new ideas in a world where competition is fierce. If not, we will be outperformed by our peers.
The government is expected to begin soon a consultation on an AI bill that focuses on the most cutting-edge models. The government already unveiled an action plan to determine how AI can spur economic growth.
