Prime Minister Keir Starmer vows Britain will be ‘the world leader’ in AI

Sir Keir Starmer has predicted the UK will become a “world leader in AI” thanks to its new AI Opportunities Action Plan.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared AI will “drive incredible change” in the UK.

On Monday (13.01.25), the government announced that it has teamed up with technology firms to use artificial intelligence to create 13,250 jobs jobs and improve public services under the new AI Opportunities Action Plan.

Starmer declared: “Our plan will make Britain the world leader.”

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC: “I want to make sure that it benefits everyone from every background, that it benefits every community, from every part of the UK.”

Kyle believes it’s time the UK became a Silicon Valley and launch companies like Apple and Google.

He said: “At the moment, we don’t have any frontier conceptual, cutting-edge companies that are British-owned.”

The government believes AI can “turbocharge growth and boost living standards” and reduce the amount of admin public sector workers have to carry out so they can actually do their job.

Tech firms have contributed a whopping £14 billion to the plan.

Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK, said: “The scale of this government’s ambition for AI development and adoption in the UK is exactly what’s needed to drive economic growth, transform public services and create new opportunities for all.

“Maintaining the UK’s position as a global leader in AI demands innovation and investment across the public and private sectors and Microsoft is fully committed to helping make this vision a reality.”

Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer at OpenAI, commented: “From the locomotive to the Colossus computer, the UK has a rich history of leadership in tech innovation and the research and development of AI.

“The government’s AI action plan – led by the Prime Minister and Secretary Peter Kyle – recognises where AI development is headed and sets the UK on the right path to benefit from its growth. The UK has an enormous national resource in the talent of its people, institutions and businesses which together, can leverage AI to advance the country’s national interest.”