UK government sets out lofty AI, quantum ambitions

The UK government has set aside £2.5 billion to push artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves expected to argue the country should adopt AI faster than any other G7 member. In a speech to Cass Business School, Reeves is due to call AI “the defining technology of our era” and link it to wider goals on regional economic growth and closer cooperation with the European Union.

Of the package, £2 billion will go to quantum computing, sensors and networks, with the aim of moving UK-developed systems into the market by the early 2030s. The programme is pitched as a way to pull together research, manufacturing, software, hardware and government purchasing. Another £500 million will feed a new sovereign AI fund, launching in April to back UK startups. Operator VodafoneThree backed the ambition but warned that rapid AI rollout must be built on strong security, stressing that keeping data, systems and control under UK jurisdiction is key to maintaining trust and national resilience.