UK has no plans to slow down AI data center construction

As the US deals with the fallout associated with the ongoing demand for data centers, the UK is looking to capitalize on it instead, according to one of the country's ministers. Dan Tomlinson, the UK's minister for growth, told the The Financial Times that data center construction will continue as "essential infrastructure."

Tomlinson told FT that AI is becoming more widely used throughout the UK's economy, meaning the country will need more data centers to support that growth. However, the minister added that data center construction in the UK will have to invest in local communities and create jobs to receive government support. Tomlinson also told FT that the UK government has taken away some lessons from the "free-for-all in parts of the US" with data center construction and that the country would take a more nuanced approach with better oversight.