As part of the US president’s State Visit, the UK and US have agreed the Tech Prosperity Deal, focused on developing the fastest growing technologies like AI, quantum, and nuclear.

This comes as America’s top technology and AI firms – including Microsoft, NVIDIA, Google, OpenAI and CoreWeave – have committed a combined £31bn to boost the UK’s AI infrastructure and cutting-edge tech, from data centres to computer chips, the processing power behind AI. It builds on the £44bn in investment into the UK’s AI and tech sector under this government.

Under the partnership, the UK and US will put joint resources and expertise into making emerging technologies a shared success for British and American people:

• Millions of patients could receive life-saving treatments faster, as the UK and US partner up to develop revolutionary quantum computers and open new avenues to use AI in targeted treatments which can aid drug discovery. Technologies like AI and quantum – which can also be applied in many ways across healthcare, energy, space and defence – can bring breakthroughs like new medicines and treatments in a fraction of the time and cost it takes today.
• Families could get access to cleaner, more reliable energy, thanks to a civil nuclear deal that will slash red tape and speed up the delivery of nuclear projects. It means British consumers could be more protected from international fossil fuel price hikes and British workers could benefit from high-paying jobs unlocked by these projects.
• Local communities and businesses will see greater opportunities through investment and rollout of AI infrastructure in both countries, creating jobs and driving growth. A new AI Growth Zone in the North East has the potential to see billions of pounds worth of investment and jobs funnelled into the region. With leading US tech companies joining forces with British firm Nscale to build out AI infrastructure, British businesses will have access to the cutting-edge chips they need to adopt AI, innovate and compete.

As part of the pact, the UK and US will unite to forge joint research schemes to further the use of AI to allow for targeted treatments and other shared priorities like fusion energy. This could see both countries working together to build new AI models for life-changing breakthroughs like developing targeted treatments for those suffering with cancer or rare and chronic diseases.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said:  “This Tech Prosperity Deal marks a generational step change in our relationship with the US, shaping the futures of millions of people on both sides of the Atlantic, and delivering growth, security and opportunity up and down the country.

“By teaming-up with world-class companies from both the UK and US, we’re laying the foundations for a future where together we are world leaders in the technology of tomorrow, creating highly skilled jobs, putting more money in people’s pockets and ensuring this partnership benefits every corner of the United Kingdom.”

Further investment in data centres – the factories powering AI – as well as start-ups in AI and beyond is also being set out:

• Microsoft is announcing a $30bn (£22bn) investment in AI infrastructure and ongoing operations across the UK - marking the largest financial commitment it has ever made in the UK. It will enable Microsoft to build out the UK’s cloud and AI infrastructure and build the country’s largest supercomputer, with more than 23,000 advanced GPUs, in partnership with Nscale.
• Google is announcing the opening of its data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, as part of a two-year £5bn investment in the UK. This includes Google’s capital expenditure, research and development, and related engineering over the next two years – and encompasses Google DeepMind with its pioneering AI research in science and healthcare.
• AI cloud computing company CoreWeave will be investing £1.5bn in AI data centre capacity and operations in the UK – bringing total investment in the UK to £2.5bn over the past year. As part of this investment, CoreWeave is partnering with British firm DataVita in Scotland to build one of Europe’s largest, most efficient AI data centres. It will deliver advanced compute powered by renewable energy, whilst creating local jobs and contributing to the local economy.
• Salesforce has announced an additional $2bn (£1.4bn) in investment in its UK business through 2030. Salesforce UK will become an AI hub for the UK and Europe with new R&D teams to support business innovation across the region. The investment bolsters Salesforce’s ongoing commitment to the UK, extending a previous five-year investment of $4bn made in 2023, bringing the total investment to $6bn.
• UK-based company AI Pathfinder has committed to delivering AI compute capacity – essential to developing and deploying AI. This will begin in Northamptonshire, with an initial investment of over £1bn.

Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft, said: “We’re committed to creating new opportunity for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, and to ensuring America remains a trusted and reliable tech partner for the United Kingdom.

“That is why we are doubling down on our investment in the UK, investing more than $30bn over four years, including building the country’s largest supercomputer.”

Wider industry has also welcomed the news. Ben Brittain, director of public affairs at the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), said: “This investment is a gear-change in Britain’s AI and digital journey. The consultancy and engineering sector is at the sharp end of delivering this critical infrastructure.

“ACE members are building the foundations of the AI age, from resilient energy grids, necessary water infrastructure to support data centres, to high-capacity networks and smarter buildings, turning investment into the infrastructure that makes AI at scale possible. AI cannot thrive without these strong foundations.”

The engineering and consultancy sector is expected to be among the immediate beneficiaries, with demand likely to rise for expertise in energy resilience, digital infrastructure and the design and delivery of new AI data centres.

ACE said the new investment would not only strengthen Britain’s domestic capability but also help future-proof the economy and reinforce the UK’s role as a global hub for innovation.

“This is about ensuring Britain has the infrastructure to sit at the top table of AI development and this investment ensures Britain remains part of the global big three on AI, securing our leading position with the US and China,” Brittain added.