Prime Minister Starmer unveils £1bn AI investment
Starmer Unveils £1 Billion AI Investment as London Tech Week Launches with Momentum
By Alpaslan Düven
Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially kicked off London Tech Week today, announcing a sweeping £1 billion boost to the UK’s artificial intelligence (AI) and data infrastructure. Speaking from Olympia London, Starmer highlighted Britain’s rising stature in AI innovation and reiterated the government’s commitment to securing the UK’s position as a leading global tech hub.
The multi-million-pound investment will primarily fund new data centre developments, a cornerstone of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the nation’s digital backbone and fuel AI-driven economic growth. “We are fully embracing this opportunity,” Starmer said, emphasising the vital role AI will play in Britain’s future prosperity.
In a landmark move, the Prime Minister also revealed a collaboration with 11 leading companies to equip 7.5 million Britons with AI skills. This unprecedented training initiative aims to meet the soaring demand for expertise as AI reshapes the workforce.
NVIDIA CEO Praises UK as Europe’s AI Investment Hotspot
Joining Starmer at the event was Jensen Huang, CEO of tech giant NVIDIA, who praised the UK as “a fantastic investment destination.” Huang spotlighted the country’s world-class universities and vibrant tech sector, declaring Britain the largest AI investment region in Europe.
However, Huang cautioned that sustaining this leadership requires significant and ongoing infrastructure upgrades. NVIDIA is partnering with the UK government to establish a “talent pipeline” designed to nurture future AI experts.
Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson also joined the stage, reinforcing the alignment between government and industry to accelerate AI growth.
London Tech Week Draws Thousands to Olympia
Hosted by Informa, London Tech Week opened its doors on 9 June and will continue through to Friday (13 June). The event has attracted a diverse crowd, including start-ups, investors, and global tech leaders, all eager to network, innovate, and close deals.
The week features an extensive line-up of speakers such as physicist Professor Brian Cox, NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang, and Science Secretary Peter Kyle MP.
Canva, the design software pioneer, described the event as “the must-attend gathering spot for tech across Europe.” An exhibitor told EN that London Tech Week represents “our best chance to get noticed and do business.”
With major investments and leading voices converging, this year’s London Tech Week is set to be a pivotal chapter in the UK’s AI and technology journey.