UK government and businesses pledge significant AI investment

The UK government has pledged to invest an additional £300 million in the development of the nation's artificial intelligence (AI) sector, it has been revealed.

The money will be put towards research and boosting the country's skills in this area, and will be supported by additional funding from more than 50 businesses. Together with the government's cash injection, the sum pledged to the sector comes to over £1 billion.

Matt Hancock, the UK's secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, explained that Britain "must be at the forefront of emerging technologies", using these to push boundaries and spearhead innovation.

"Artificial intelligence is at the centre of our plans to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business," he added.

Among the other significant investments in the AI sector in recent months are the University of Cambridge's new £10 million AI supercomputer, and Japanese firm Global Braid pledging £35 million to support deep-tech startups.