The UK’s £31bn tech deal with the US might sound great – but the government has to answer these questions | Matt Davies

The big firms making these pledges are not charities. We know there will be a quid pro quo; we just don’t know what it is yetPeter Kyle, until two weeks ago the technology secretary, once warned that tech companies such as Meta, Google and Microsoft were so powerful that the UK needed to approach them with “a sense of statecraft” and “humility”, and treat negotiations with them similarly to diplomacy between nations. That vision endures in the form of the UK-US tech prosperity agreement struck this week. While officially a new bilateral partnership, this seems to be a deal aimed at facilitating investment from US technology companies rather than advancing collaboration on goals such as AI safety, copyright protections for British rights holders or a digital services tax.The rationale is clear: US firms stand alone atop the global AI value chain, making the country an obvious partner for a UK government seeking to “turbocharge” its AI sector. Against a challenging economic backdrop, the promise of “a combined £31bn” in support for UK AI infrastructure such as datacentres offers welcome headlines.Matt Davies is economic and social policy lead at the Ada Lovelace Institute. Imogen Parker of the Ada Lovelace Institute also contributed Continue reading...

Comments

Business News

Brexit impact on UK economy will be negative for foreseeable future, Bailey warns

Independent

Comments

Business News

Brexit impact on UK economy will be negative for foreseeable future, Bailey warns

2025 F1 United States Grand Prix Sprint Results: Verstappen Wins, McLaren Suffers Double Disaster

AEW WrestleDream 2025 Match Card, Start Time, Odds And Where To Stream

Want To Build Food Resilience? Start By Making Jam

Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ Rallies Begin In Thousands Of U.S. Cities (Photos)

I love having an identical twin. It's such a privilege.

Brexit impact on UK economy ‘negative for foreseeable future,’ Bailey says

What To Watch This Weekend: New Shows And Movies To Stream On Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV And More

NYT Connections Today: Hints And Answers For Sunday, October 19 (#861)

How James Bond Can Be Reinvigorated By Amazon MGM

Formula 1 Standings 2025: Which Drivers Have The Best Shot At The Title?

Will There Be ‘The Diplomat’ Season 4? How Season 3’s Twist Ending Sets It Up

The Snobs’ Attack On Gold Is Failing, Thanks To Bitcoin

Asked About ‘Boots,’ The Pentagon Cites Netflix ‘Woke Garbage’

What Happened To Ajike Owens? The Disturbing True Story Behind ‘The Perfect Neighbor’

Paramount Skydance to cut 2,000 jobs starting final week of October: report

Lithium Battery Fire Aboard Air China Flight Forces Emergency Landing

Developing Rosebank oil field ‘pure climate vandalism’, Scottish Green insists

Developing Rosebank oil field ‘pure climate vandalism’, Scottish Green insists

Why ‘The Diplomat’ Should Be The Model For All Netflix Shows

Mega Millions Jackpot Rises To $650 Million—Here’s How Much The Winner Could Take Home After Taxes

‘This new £7 glow-boosting skin tint instantly makes me look less tired’

The most iconic food in every state

I hadn't seen my sister for 2 years. We met in Liechtenstein to reconnect.

My stay at a luxury villa in Orlando was a wildly good value. I had a private pool and easy access to Disney World.

Regan Smith Takes Down American Record At Swimming World Cup

NFL 2025 Week 7 Fantasy Football Top DFS Single Entry And GPP Stacks

Justin Bieber Charts Another Pop Radio No. 1 — Which Superstars Does He Tie?

Sabrina Carpenter Scores New Top 10 Hits — And She Had Help From The World’s Biggest Star

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Is Catching Up To Rosé’s Historic Radio Success

Chris Jericho Could Be Next Marquee AEW Star To Leave For WWE

Danny Garcia Vs. Daniel Gonzalez: Odds, Records, Prediction

'I've cleaned my floors three times this week after buying Shark steam mop'

DWP officials to be given power to view claimants' bank details under new law

Molly-Mae Hague's 'stunning' Tom Ford perfume is down to £5 in money-saving deal

Amazon cuts 33% off a dehumidifier recommended for 'battling condensation and damp'

Martin Lewis advice could lead to free £400 'before Christmas'

This hot chocolate advent calendar saves you £2 a day on fancy takeaway drinks

All employees urged to check 3 vital details on their payslips

'VIP airport lounge staff gave us half price - here's how to do it'

The best advice I ever got about work-life balance came from a past boyfriend's mom. It's shaped my life for 2 decades.

I visited a 'haunted' 18th-century mansion in New York City and saw things I couldn't fully explain

7 celebrities who competed at Miss USA, including Olivia Culpo and Halle Berry

Opinion: Susan Stamberg gave NPR its voice

Ofcom orders BBC to air on TV finding that Gaza film broke broadcasting rules

What The Outcome Of Trump’s Meeting With Zelensky Means For Putin

Taylor Swift Passes Ariana Grande With Her New Chart-Topping Smash

$15 Billion Bitcoin Seizure Exposes Challenges For US Crypto Reserve Strategy

From Stay-At-Home Mom To Comedy Star, How Zarna Garg Turns Punchlines Into Profits

Hit Netflix Show Returns With Peak Worldwide Interest

Saturday, October 18. Russia’s War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine

The Marvel Show Which Cost Just $30 Million To Make

Rasmus Hojlund’s Napoli Revival Is A Cautionary Tale For Man United

‘I’ve resisted buying a pricey heated airer by doing this clever free trick instead’

Every Nationwide branch that's staying open until at least 2028

Martin Lewis's superb radiator hack costs less than £10 but could save tonnes on heating bills

'I was love-bombed by a Somalia doctor on Facebook - then forced into sick blood oath'

YouTube steps up its shopping game with help from influencers

11 of Taylor Swift's best lyrical burns

I got married for the first time at 76 after finding my true love. It's never too late.