EDINBURGH University has been given the green light to host the UK’s most powerful supercomputer.
This marks a U-turn on the government’s decision to scrap the project, due to lack of funds.
£750m will be invested in the supercomputer, which will be housed in the University of Edinburgh’s Advanced Computing Facility (ACF).
The funding comes from the Prime Minister’s commitment to dedicating an extra £1bn of funding to the UK’s AI industry.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the huge amount of added investment at the launch of London Tech Week, as he aims to scale up the country’s AI power twenty-fold.
Part of this money will be used to build a new national supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh, operated by the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC).
Once operational, it will provide high-performance computing capability for research and projects across the UK.
The university has been recognised for leading the way in AI and computing for over 60 years.
Last year, Labour scrapped the project as it made “little strategic sense”, but has now pledged to accelerate the growth of AI in the country.
As part of the Chancellor’s Spending Review, the infrastructure will allow researchers to complete modelling which can help a variety of industries such as medicine, climate change, and national security.
Principal of the university, Sir Peter Mathieson said: “This significant investment will have a profoundly positive impact on the UK’s global standing, and we welcome the vast opportunities it?will create for research and innovation.
“Building on the University of Edinburgh’s expertise and experience over decades, this powerful supercomputer will drive economic growth by supporting advancements in medicine, bolstering emerging industries and public services, and unlocking the full potential of AI.
“We look forward to working alongside the UK Government and other partners to deliver this critical UK-wide resource.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “We are investing in Scotland’s renewal, so working people are better off.
“Strong investment in our science and technology sector is part of our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth, and as the home of the UK’s largest supercomputer, Scotland will be an integral part of that journey.”
