Key Insights:

• Google warns the UK risks lagging in AI without more data centers and policy changes.
• Google calls for relaxed copyright laws to boost AI model training and development.
• Google suggests a national research cloud to support AI startups, academics, and public services.

Google has raised concerns that the UK could fall behind in the global AI race unless the government invests more in data centers and eases restrictions on using copyrighted materials to train AI models. The tech giant argues that without swift action, the UK may lose its competitive edge in artificial intelligence.

Google’s UK managing director, Debbie Weinstein, has emphasized the need for more robust AI infrastructure in the UK. The country currently ranks seventh on a global AI readiness index, a position that Weinstein warns could worsen if investments are not made. “We have a lot of advantages and a lot of history of leadership in this space, but if we do not take proactive action, there is a risk that we will be left behind,” she said.

The company recommends the creation of a “national research cloud,” a publicly funded resource that would provide computing power and data access to startups and researchers. This would aim to close the gap between the UK and other nations investing heavily in AI infrastructure. Google welcomed Labour’s commitment to expanding data centers as part of its upcoming planning and infrastructure bill, noting that this could help address current shortfalls.

Policy Suggestions and Copyright Law Changes

Google is also calling for changes to UK copyright laws to enable broader use of copyrighted materials for training AI models. The company’s suggestions come after the abandonment of efforts to draft a new code for using copyrighted content in AI training. The current restrictions on text and data mining (TDM) are seen as a barrier to AI development. TDM allows the copying of copyrighted work for non-commercial purposes, but a proposal to extend this to commercial use was dropped due to concerns from creative industries and news publishers.

Weinstein noted that the unresolved copyright issues hinder AI progress. “The unresolved copyright issue is a block to development, and a way to unblock that, obviously, from Google’s perspective, is to go back to where I think the government was in 2023, which was TDM being allowed for commercial use,” she said.

Recommendations for Pro-Innovation Regulation

Google’s policy document also suggests that the UK maintain its current regulatory approach, which involves oversight by existing bodies like the Competition and Markets Authority and the Information Commissioner’s Office. The tech firm advocates for a “pro-innovation” regulatory framework rather than introducing new regulations. “We would encourage the government to continue looking first to the existing regulation, as opposed to creating new regulation,” Weinstein stated.

The UK government is reportedly working on a new AI bill that aims to legally bind voluntary AI model testing agreements and position the AI Safety Institute as an independent government body. A spokesperson for the government said: “Our AI opportunities action plan, driven by Matt Clifford, will ensure we have the right AI infrastructure, skills, and data access for businesses and public services to unlock its full potential. But as we do, we must ensure it develops safely to strengthen public trust.”

Government Projects and Industry Concerns

Government-backed AI initiatives in the UK have recently faced funding challenges. Labour has confirmed it will not pursue £800 million for an exascale supercomputer, which is considered essential for AI research, nor the additional £500 million for the AI Research Resource, which supports computing power for AI. This has raised concerns among tech companies about the UK’s commitment to remaining competitive in the AI sector.

Google’s calls for more government action come as AI investment surges globally, driven by breakthroughs such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s own AI model, Gemini. The tech company stresses that without a coordinated effort from the government, the UK risks missing out on the economic and technological benefits of AI advancements.

In its report, Google recommended establishing a national skills service to help workers adapt to AI technologies and integrate AI more widely into public services. The company’s stance reflects broader concerns that the UK’s position in the AI industry could be compromised without strategic investments and supportive regulations.