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Politics
Apr 28, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

UK Must Seize AI Initiative or Be Left at the ‘Mercy’ of the Future, Liz Kendall Warns

AI Summary
Technology secretary Liz Kendall warned that Britain must take control of its AI future or risk being shaped by foreign tech giants. She highlighted a £500 million state AI fund and a new chip‑design plan as the first steps toward AI sovereignty, while pointing to the dominance of five US firms that now provide 70 % of global AI compute.

The Lead

Liz Kendall, the UK technology secretary, warned that Britain must take control of its artificial‑intelligence future or risk being “at the mercy and whim” of foreign tech giants.

Kendall Calls for a Home‑Grown AI Strategy Amid US Dominance

In a speech delivered on 28 April 2026, Kendall outlined a two‑pronged plan: a £500 million state AI investment fund and a forthcoming national chip‑design programme. She cited the launch of the fund this month as evidence of Labour’s commitment to domestic firms.

Numbers That Reveal the Scale of the Challenge

  • 70 % of global AI compute is supplied by five US companies – Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Oracle – up from 60 % a year ago.
  • OpenAI has paused a multi‑billion‑dollar data‑centre project in the UK, citing high energy costs and regulatory uncertainty.
  • The UK‑based supercomputer slated for 2026 remains a “scaffolding yard” in Essex, according to recent investigations.

Concentration Risks and the UK’s Competitive Lag

The concentration of AI power in the United States threatens the UK’s ability to shape the technology according to its own values. Kendall warned that without a sovereign AI capability, Britain could become a peripheral player, echoing former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg’s comment that the UK is “without a single steam engine” in the AI revolution.

Looking Ahead: Scenarios for UK AI Sovereignty

If the government follows through on the investment fund and chip‑design roadmap, the UK could attract a modest share of the AI supply chain and retain talent such as DeepMind. Conversely, continued reliance on foreign compute could lock the UK into a “phantom‑investment” cycle, limiting growth and strategic influence.