In a decisive move to bolster its position in the global computing sphere, the UK government has unveiled plans to channel up to £100m into high-powered artificial intelligence chips.
This initiative aims to elevate the UK’s standing in the competitive AI arena. But, despite this promising start, does the investment go far enough?
Securing Advanced Computing Resources
A recent report by the Telegraph suggests that the UK has engaged in advanced discussions with IT behemoths such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel.
This collaboration seeks to source equipment for a dedicated “AI Research Resource”. This is in line with Rishi Sunak’s objective to position Britain as a formidable force in the AI domain.
However, it’s worth noting that the UK currently faces a significant gap in computing resources compared to the likes of the US and Europe.
The UK Research and Innovation body is spearheading this initiative, with reports indicating a potential order of up to 5,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) from Nvidia.
These GPUs, pivotal in constructing AI systems like ChatGPT, are in high demand globally.
However, the government’s recent review cast a spotlight on the glaring deficiency of a dedicated AI compute resource. This deficiency is underscored by the fact that fewer than 1,000 of these sought-after Nvidia chips are accessible to researchers in the UK. This report recommends the immediate action of at least 3,000 top-tier GPUs.
Financial Commitments and Future Aspirations
Although Mr Sunak has earmarked a generous £900m for computing resources, the lion’s share of this funding is anticipated to be channelled towards a traditional “exascale” supercomputer.
In this context, it’s believed that a sum slightly north of £50m has been allocated for AI resources. However, due to the surging global demand for these powerful chips, this figure could escalate to anywhere between £70m and £100m.
There is speculation that government officials will lobby for a bigger budget in the imminent Autumn Statement. This statement could coincide with an AI safety summit tentatively scheduled for November.
Also read:
International Race for Superior AI
Recent findings from The Financial Times highlighted that Saudi Arabia has obtained at least 3,000 of Nvidia’s high-end H100 processors, each with a staggering $40,000 price tag.
In the face of such global demand, tech titans like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are in a frantic race to secure these invaluable chips.
Joe Biden’s administration has imposed restrictions on Nvidia, barring the firm from trading these chips with China, citing national security concerns.
It remains somewhat ambiguous, however, which specific chips the UK intends to purchase.
A Bright Horizon for AI in the UK?
The UK government is optimistic that the AI Research Resource will be fully functional by the summer of next year.
Furthermore, discussions are ongoing regarding the potential benefits of a “sovereign chatbot”. This would be a public-funded language model akin to ChatGPT, aiming to amplify AI deployment in crucial public sectors, including the NHS.
Mr Sunak is passionately advocating for the UK to set global benchmarks for AI’s safe evolution. He is orchestrating plans for the AI safety summit, which, interestingly, is slated to take place at the historic World War II codebreaking centre, Bletchley Park.
This summit is expected to catalyse international accords between governments and premier AI firms on progressive tech development.
While the UK’s commitment to AI is commendable, there is a prevailing sentiment that more needs to be done.
But, as the race for AI dominance intensifies, it remains to be seen if Britain can indeed bridge the gap and emerge as a global leader in AI.
