The United States and the United Kingdom have formalized a sweeping technology partnership aimed at jointly advancing artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and nuclear energy. This "Tech Prosperity Deal," announced during the U.S. President's state visit, signifies a commitment to align resources and expertise in these rapidly evolving fields. The agreement is underpinned by substantial private investment and new public research initiatives.
The core objective of this collaboration is to secure jobs, bolster security, and position both nations as leaders in emerging industries. The deal encompasses a joint push on AI infrastructure, next-generation quantum computers, and nuclear projects designed to streamline deployment. The partnership seeks to accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, lower energy costs, and strengthen national security.
A key component of the agreement involves major U.S. technology firms, including Microsoft, Google, NVIDIA, OpenAI, and CoreWeave, expanding their investments in UK data centers, AI infrastructure, and quantum collaborations. NVIDIA, for instance, plans to deploy 120,000 GPUs, while Microsoft is set to construct the UK's largest AI supercomputer. These investments build upon the £44 billion already invested in the UK's AI and tech sector.
Specific initiatives within the partnership include the establishment of a UK-US quantum taskforce, the development of AI models for drug discovery and fusion research, and nuclear projects focused on enhancing energy security and creating high-skilled jobs. The collaboration extends to exploring the development of 6G mobile telecommunications networks. Furthermore, the UK and US will partner to develop revolutionary quantum computers and accelerate the deployment of this technology across areas like healthcare, defense, and finance.
The "Tech Prosperity Deal" also addresses civil nuclear energy, with the aim of expediting the construction of new nuclear power stations to create jobs and foster growth in both countries. The UK commits to achieving full independence from Russian nuclear fuel by the end of 2028, aligning with U.S. statutory commitments and ensuring a secure and reliable supply chain for advanced nuclear fuels. Coordination of fusion energy research and development, including the use of AI, is also a priority, with enhanced collaboration to develop harmonized and pro-innovation policies for the commercial development of fusion technologies.
The collaboration will focus on automated labs and new scientific data sets, especially on cancer and chronic disease research. By combining AI's predictive power with quantum computers' simulation capabilities, researchers aim to reduce the time and cost of developing new treatments and technologies. President Trump highlighted the positive impact of the collaboration, noting that it has catalyzed $350 billion in deals across various sectors. He emphasized the commitment to ensuring the UK remains a secure and reliable source of top-tier AI hardware and software.
