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Starmer’s ‘AI Superpower’ ambitions and what it means for Bristol
As Bristol prepares to welcome the completion of the second phase of Isambard-AI, prime minister Keir Starmer has unveiled the AI Opportunities Action Plan, designed to position the UK as a “superpower” in artificial intelligence.
The prime minister delivered his address at University College London (UCL), attended by several government ministers and leading figures from the AI sector, including professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, director of the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (BriCS).
Starmer remarked: “We will go our own way on this. Mark my words, Britain will be one of the great AI superpowers.”
The plan, featuring 50 recommendations from tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford, aims to harness AI’s potential to drive economic growth and reduce public sector costs where Bristol is set to play a pivotal role.
With its long history of AI innovation, Bristol stands out as a leader, boasting significant academic expertise and a strong foundation for realising the objectives outlined in the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Recently named “AI University of the Year,” the University of Bristol secured a £225m government investment to develop Isambard-AI.
Set to become the UK’s most powerful supercomputer upon completion in 2025, Isambard-AI will advance AI research in areas such as robotics, climate science, and drug discovery, ensuring the UK’s AI capabilities.
Recognised as the most sustainable supercomputer in the UK and the second-greenest globally, Isambard-AI will advance AI research in areas such as robotics, climate science, and drug discovery – photo: National Composites Centre
Moreover, the AI Business Rankings report, published in June 2024 by Business Financed, ranked Bristol second only to Cambridge as a top destination for the AI sector.
One of the central aims of the action plan is to transform the UK into an “AI maker,” rather than merely an “AI taker,” by fostering innovation across both the public and private sectors.
Metro mayor Dan Norris lauded prime minister’s ambitions. He said: “The West of England is at the forefront of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. Pioneering research and innovation in our region are driving forward this exciting area of real opportunity.
“My Mayoral Combined Authority is backing the government’s ambitious agenda, with the right safeguards where we need them.
“Our regional growth plan has innovation and the spirit of Brunel at its heart. Isambard-AI, the UK’s most powerful supercomputer, is already operating here.
“The West of England can look forward to soon being a national AI Growth Zone, to continue to attract new investment and new jobs.”
The summer of 2025 will see new AI Growth Zones established by the government. These are areas where planning approvals are expedited to build data centres, access to the energy grid is secured to drive innovation, and secure investment.
Many entrepreneurs believe that the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” is driven by tech startups, a substantial number of which are AI startups.
“This is a pivotal moment for AI in the UK,” said professor Simon McIntosh-Smith (right), director of the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing (BriCS) – photo: University of Bristol
Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith commented: “The University of Bristol is proud to support the UK’s ambitious AI vision with Isambard-AI, the nation’s fastest supercomputer.
“Capable of performing in one second what would take the combined efforts of the entire global population 81 years, Isambard-AI represents a transformative leap forward.
“Already operational, with full production commencing this year, it will play a central role in delivering a 20-fold increase in the UK’s AI capability within just a few years—faster and more cost-efficiently than commercial alternatives.”
AI Business Rankings report, published in June 2024 by Business Financed, ranked Bristol second only to Cambridge as a top destination for the AI sector – photo: Business Financed
Bristol’s ambition to become a sought after hub for tech spinouts, including AI businesses, received a major boost last autumn at the Bristol Technology Festival, where a £300m investment vehicle was unveiled.
The initiative is aimed at accelerating the creation and growth of science and technology companies tackling global challenges. The announcement was made by professor Patrick Vallance, minister of State for Science, Research, and Innovation, who attended the event as the keynote speaker.
Bristol is the home to two world class tech incubators: SETsquared and Science Creates. The latter is set to open its third site at Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus after the success of the twin sites at St Philip’s and Old Market.
“Our regional growth plan has innovation and the spirit of Brunel at its heart. Isambard-AI, the UK’s most powerful supercomputer, is already operating here, ” said metro mayor Dan Norris – photo-West of England Combined Authority
Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, said: “This is a vote of confidence for the University and the city.
“Universities have a vital role to play in research and innovation, and in facilitating long-term economic growth.
“AI presents us with many opportunities to fulfil this role. With its world-class technology, Isambard-AI will help nurture talent by providing training and support for students and researchers in advanced computational methods, while fostering interdisciplinary research efforts both in the UK and globally.”
Isambard-AI is a cutting-edge, sustainable supercomputer in the UK, now operational in its first phase. It will be driving future AI research on heart disease, livestock health, and vaccine development.
“This is a vote of confidence for the University and the city,” said professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor at Bristol University – photo: Martin Booth
Recognised as the most sustainable supercomputer in the UK and the second-greenest globally, it is housed in a modular, low-carbon data centre with the potential for waste heat recycling to benefit local infrastructure.
Phase 2, launching in summer 2025, will expand the system with 5,280 Nvidia Grace Hopper superchips, offering early access for users while still undergoing testing. Isambard-AI sets a new standard in both AI innovation and environmental responsibility.
From summer 2025, users will also be able to access Isambard-AI phase 2 – photo: Bristol University
“This is a pivotal moment for AI in the UK,” concluded McIntosh-Smith.
Main photo: Gov.uk
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