Conservative leader warns high energy costs could kill UK market in key Westminster speech
Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch has warned that the UK risks scaring off a new generation of AI companies unless it slashes regulation and improves funding mechanisms.
Speaking at the Politics UK and UKAI Summit in Westminster on Monday night, the Conservative leader said Britain was at risk of losing its place as one of the world’s leading AI hubs by making it harder for companies to build and grow here.
When asked about the role of AI in driving growth, she said:
“I see AI for this generation as what the internet was for the early to mid-90s. What we want is to be ahead of the pack. We want to be specialists. We want to be great at developing AI. That means being able to keep the AI companies here. The cat’s out of the bag. We can’t control it. We need to make sure that we don’t overregulate to the point where the companies don’t even come here in the first place.”
Badenoch also warned of the dangers posed by high energy costs in terms of damaging investment. She said: “We’re not going to get any data centres here if our industrial energy costs are four times what they are in the US.”
Cyber expert Simon Edwards, CEO at SE Labs has commented:
“AI capabilities are the equivalent of UK’s crown jewels and need to be maintained and protected at all times. With some AI facilities at risk of being switched off at the touch of the button, having sovereign AI in place will protect businesses and national defence systems. With growing volumes of devastating cyber attacks threating to derail the supply chains and the economy, ramping up investment in this area should be a top priority for policymakers from all parties.”
Meanwhile Graeme Stewart, Head of Public Sector at Check Point, has said:
“Building up Britan’s home-grown AI capabilities is an absolute must for the next government, particularly with rising cyber crime threatening critical national infrastructure. The UK cannot afford to play catch-up in the global race for AI capabilities, especially when the technology can face restrictions or outright bans.”
