The UK government is calling for applications to host a new national AI hub that would link British researchers to some of Europe’s powerful supercomputers.
The move is part of a broader effort to boost artificial intelligence development and strengthen UK-EU collaboration in science and technology.
Public research organisations have been asked to apply to become the UK’s ‘AI Factory Antenna’.
If approved, the proposed facility will partner with a European AI factory site supported by the European High Performance Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC).
Up to €5 million in joint UK-EU funding is available, with the UK pledging £2.5 million towards the initiative.
It claims that the AI Factory Antenna would act as a national gateway to Europe’s supercomputing capabilities, providing data, training and software support.
The facility would provide UK researchers and startups with access to advanced computing infrastructure, including high-performance systems capable of running complex models.
The aim is to accelerate breakthroughs in areas such as healthcare and clean energy, while also contributing to economic growth and job creation.
“Supercomputers are the turbochargers of discovery,” said Feryal Clark, minister for AI.
“By strengthening our partnership with Europe, we’re giving British innovators the compute power to solve climate and health challenges, grow the economy, and deliver our Plan For Change.”
The initiative stems from the UK’s recent re-entry into the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme and membership in the EuroHPC initiative.
Applications must be submitted by 11 June. The selected organisation will be endorsed by the UK government for formal submission to EuroHPC.
The announcement follows the recent UK-EU agreement, which confirmed zero-tariff, zero-quota trade on goods and addressed key areas such as defence, fishing, and enhanced mobility for young people between the UK and the EU.
