Google Owner Announces £5 Billion Investment Into UK AI Ahead of Trump Visit
Google’s parent company Alphabet has announced a massive £5 billion ($6.8 billion) investment in the UK over the next two years, focused on artificial intelligence infrastructure, research, and job creation. The investment comes as the company opens a new data centre in Waltham Cross and expands support for DeepMind, its London-based AI lab led by Nobel Prize winner Demis Hassabis. Ruth Porat, Alphabet’s president, said the investment reflects the “profound opportunities in the UK” and that “AI is collaborating with people rather than replacing them.”
The announcement coincides with US President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain and is expected to be followed by more big-ticket investments from American tech giants like OpenAI and Nvidia. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who attended the data centre opening, called the investment “a powerful vote of confidence in the UK economy” and praised the government’s role in attracting high-tech growth. Google says the project could add £400 billion to the UK economy by 2030 and create over 8,000 jobs annually.
The company is also addressing energy concerns tied to AI infrastructure. The Waltham Cross facility will run on 95% carbon-free energy, thanks to a new partnership with Shell. Google says it will reuse captured heat to warm local schools and homes and emphasized that “energy efficiency is being built into all aspects of AI.” While some environmental groups have flagged the potential emissions from future centres, Porat insists the focus is on “modernising the grid” and ensuring AI is sustainable.
