Revealed: UK’s multibillion AI drive is built on ‘phantom investments’
TL;DR
Exclusive: Rented datacentres and ‘supercomputer’ site that’s still a scaffolding yard raise questions for Starmer’s push to ‘mainline AI into veins of economy’ From press release … to scrap metal site: the Essex supercomputer that’s still a scaffolding yard A multibillion-pound drive to “mainline AI into the veins” of the British economy is riddled with “phantom investments” and shaky accounting, a Guardian investigation has found. Since 2024, successive Conservative and Labour governments have proclaimed massive deals to build new datacentres, create thousands of jobs and construct a supercomputer. Continue reading...
Nauti's Take
Britain's AI moonshot appears to be mostly PowerPoint and press releases. Rented datacentres rebranded as 'investments' and a supercomputer site that's still a scaffolding yard — classic political theater dressed up as tech strategy.
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