News
The news comes as the UK moves to become a worldwide AI powerhouse
Microsoft has this week announced plans to establish Microsoft AI London, a new hub aimed at advancing AI research and development in the UK. This initiative follows the recent formation of Microsoft AI, a new company dedicated to improving consumer AI products and research, including Microsoft’s AI chatbot Copilot.
Led by Jordan Hoffmann, an AI scientist and engineer, Microsoft AI London will focus on developing state-of-the-art language models and infrastructure, as well as creating top-tier tooling for foundation models. The hub will collaborate closely with Microsoft AI teams and partners, including OpenAI.
“I’m deeply aware of the extraordinary talent pool and AI ecosystem in the UK, and I’m excited to make this commitment to the UK on behalf of Microsoft AI,” said Mustafa Suleyman, EVP and CEO of Microsoft AI in the announcement.
“I know – through my close work with thought leaders in the UK government, business community and academia – that the country is committed to advancing AI responsibly and with a safety-first commitment to drive investment, innovation and economic growth,” he continued.
The decision to establish the AI hub in London, the company states, reflects Microsoft’s confidence in the UK’s commitment to responsible AI innovation. It adds to Microsoft’s existing presence in the UK, including the Microsoft Research Cambridge lab, and aligns with the company’s substantial investment to equip the UK workforce for the AI era.
The AI Hub’s launch follows Microsoft’s 2023 pledge to invest £2.5 billion over the next three years to expand its UK data centre infrastructure. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the investment “a turning point for the future of AI infrastructure and development in the UK,” in a government press release.
The UK government is currently heavily investing in AI, viewing it as a key factor in growing the UK economy and enhancing its technology sector. In the Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt pledged £100 million in funding to The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and AI. Furthermore, in October, the Prime Minister announced that taxpayer spending on AI chips and supercomputers is set to increase to £400 million as part of efforts to make the UK a global leader in cutting edge technology.
Keep up to date with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter
Also in the news:
Digi Spain sells 6m FTTH accesses to Onivia
Vodafone’s 5G standalone network now connects around half the German population
Broadband poles no problem for Brits says new study
