The UK and the US sign the $31 billion Tech Prosperity Deal in AI

The artificial intelligence (AI) industry has found in the United Kingdom a new gateway to Europe. Taking advantage of the visit of former President Donald Trump, a number of tech giants have made significant investments in the country. The result of these efforts has just materialized with the signing of the "Tech Prosperity Deal," an agreement aimed at mutual growth in key sectors such as AI, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy.

A £31 Billion Deal

The UK and the United States have sealed the "Tech Prosperity Deal," a technological pact that involves investments worth £31 billion (approximately €35.46 billion) from prominent US tech companies. This agreement was announced during Trump’s second state visit to the UK and aims to establish strategic collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy.

Among the companies that have decided to invest in the UK are well-known names like Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, and OpenAI, among others. This influx of investments is not coincidental and coincides with an event at Windsor Castle presided over by King Charles III, where the goal is to boost economic growth, scientific research, and energy security in both nations.

A Strategic Moment for the UK

For the government led by Keir Starmer, signing this agreement represents an opportunity to revitalize a country that has faced years of economic stagnation. The arrival of these technological investments, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago, owes its success in part to the UK’s decision not to be a part of the European Union, allowing for less restrictive regulation in the field of artificial intelligence.

Microsoft Leads the Investment

One of the most notable commitments comes from Microsoft, which has announced an investment of £22 billion (€25.33 billion). This amount includes plans to build the largest supercomputer in the UK in Loughton, northeast of London, in collaboration with the British firm Nscale. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, emphasized the goal of "ensuring that the United States continues to be a reliable technology partner for the UK." Additionally, Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, highlighted the improvement in relations between the two countries since the time preceding the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Nvidia and Google Also Announce Significant Investments

Nvidia, for its part, will deploy 120,000 graphic processing units in its largest operation in Europe, which includes up to 60,000 Grace Blackwell Ultra chips in collaboration with Nscale. David Hogan, a representative from Nvidia, assured that this move "will turn the UK into an AI manufacturer, not just a recipient."

Google, meanwhile, remains committed with an investment of £5 billion (€5.76 billion) aimed at establishing a new data center in Waltham Cross, in addition to continuing its support for DeepMind. Furthermore, the list of companies contributing to the technological development of the UK includes CoreWeave (£1.5 billion), Salesforce, Scale AI, BlackRock, Oracle, and Amazon Web Services, with commitments ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of pounds.

A Light Regulation Approach

Starmer’s government aims to consolidate the UK as a viable alternative to EU regulations, opting for a less restrictive regulatory approach that favors investments in artificial intelligence. This strategy aims to attract more US tech investors, leveraging the fact that the United States is already the UK’s largest trading partner. The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized European digital security laws, finding in the UK a key ally for its expansion in Europe.

Goals and Future Projects

The "Tech Prosperity Deal" also includes joint efforts to develop AI models applied in the healthcare field, enhance quantum computing capabilities, and accelerate civil nuclear energy projects. Keir Starmer emphasized that this agreement "has the potential to shape the future of millions of people on both sides of the Atlantic."

Thus, the UK positions itself to become a vital tech hub in Europe, while US companies have a strategic platform to expand their AI services in the European market, bypassing the regulatory restrictions imposed by the EU.

In conclusion, the "Tech Prosperity Deal" not only represents a significant advance in collaboration between the UK and the US in the tech sector, but it also marks a new chapter in the history of transatlantic relations at a time when innovation and investment are more crucial than ever.

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