BURNHAM SEEKS EU EMBRACE OVER AI – UK presses for access to a scheme that will prioritise investment in sovereign technology
Andy Burnham is to put artificial intelligence at the centre of his plans to re-embrace the EU, amid fears over dependence on US technology.
The Prime Minister will seek to align Britain with Brussels rules on AI at a summit next month.
Officials are working on the plans even as the EU faces criticism from global industry figures over its emphasis on regulation rather than the technological race dominated by the US and China.
Ministers are lobbying EU officials to give UK businesses “trusted access” to a scheme that will prioritise investment in sovereign technology to reduce the Continent’s reliance on America.
Without access to the scheme, British companies risk being shut out from AI contracts worth tens of billions of euros.
Mr Burnham has raised concerns that Brussels’ plans to encourage more European manufacturing in areas from carmaking to computer systems will damage British industry.
The EU’s upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act will require governments in the single market to prioritise European firms when buying AI technology, including data centres and chatbot subscriptions.
