On 16 September 2025, the “Tech Prosperity Deal” was signed, marking a major influx of American technology investments into the United Kingdom. The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and nuclear energy. Under the deal, Microsoft will build the UK’s largest AI supercomputer in partnership with OpenAI and Nscale, Nvidia will roll out advanced graphics processing units nationwide, while Google will establish a new data centre in Waltham Cross, expected to create several thousand new jobs.
The expansion of US technology giants offers significant economic opportunities, yet also raises questions about the UK’s technological autonomy. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, argued that these investments will make the UK a creator rather than merely a user of AI. However, experts warn that the UK is tying itself closely to US technological strategy. In practice, the agreement primarily supports the construction of American corporate infrastructure on British soil, while the UK government seeks to foster domestic AI talent through its own “TechFirst” programme to ensure the country becomes an active participant in the AI revolution rather than just a consumer.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has set out to make the UK a hub for technological innovation, but whether the economic benefits will be widely felt remains uncertain. According to Richard Whittle, an AI expert at the University of Salford, a thriving high-tech sector does not automatically translate into benefits for ordinary citizens. While new data centres create jobs during their construction, their long-term operation requires relatively little labour, and their environmental impact – in terms of water consumption and energy use – can be considerable. The government’s AI strategy remains focused on industrial growth, but the question persists: how will the advantages of the technological revolution reach broader society?
Sources:
Megan Kirkwood
Richard Whittle
