Innovation is in this country's DNA: Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK is on the precipice of something truly extraordinary when it comes to AI

Date:
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:42:40 +0000

Description:
Keir Starmer praises AI impact across the UK, but urges tech giants to do
more to keep people safe.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer opens London Tech Week 2026 Starmer hails impact of AI, says UK is
"on the precipice" of something great But also calls on tech giants to do
more to protect users UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the potential impact of AI as the technology continues to spread across the country.

Speaking at the opening keynote of London Tech Week 2026, the Prime Minister praised the impact of AI across the UK, and looked forward to a hopeful future. However he also warned technology giants to up their efforts on keeping users safe and secure online, and announced a new push to crack down on children sending and receiving explicit messages. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: "Hopeful" AI future for the UK When people look to the future, I don't want them to see something they can endure, or battle, but something they can be hopeful about, the Prime Minister said.

Starmer outlined how the government refuses to stick its head in the sand or remove AI guardrails completely, but instead taking a third route, where we back the companies, create the jobs, and create the economy of the future,
but never lose sight of who got us here. You may like Amazon CEO Andy Jassy lays out his '6 truths' for the future of AI Tech workers aren't sure MPs understand what AI actually does OpenAI exec says AI 'doomers' are holding back incredible economic opportunities

Starmer highlighted how a former soap factory in Warrington, which is now being turned into an AI data center, as a shining example of the transformational potential the technology can bring to the UK.

There are stories like this all over the country, the Prime Minister said, "they all speak to the same possibility, they give us a glimpse at an
emerging revolution in technology - a revolution with the potential to transform lives, to strengthen communities, and create opportunities right across the country. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners
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This is a revolution that Britain is uniquely placed to lead, he added,
noting how half of all European tech investment this year has been in the UK, Britain has every reason to be confident, we're on the precipice of something truly extraordinary. (Image credit: Shutterstock / Sean Aidan Calderbank) However Starmer also had tough words for technology giants who he says have
so far not done enough to crack down on areas such as sending nude images.

Specifically, he called on tech companies operating in the UK to introduce device controls which would prevent children from sending and receiving explicit images. What to read next AI in schools: the fastest route to a more resilient and skilled workforce 'I dont like it when doomers are out scaring people': Nvidia on why AI rhetoric damages America's chances to lead in the
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"If they choose not to, then we will act, and we will change the law," he said, "when it comes to the safety of our children, failure is not an
option."

Starmer also noted how the pace of change in areas such as AI and the broader technology space should not be an excuse for harm against vulnerable groups, and said that the government will act "quickly" and "firmly" when tech poses
a threat to "our people, to our children".

Starmer harked back to the UK government's battle with Grok, the AI platform from X, which was widely criticized for allowing users to create explicit AI images.

"We took them on," Starmer declared, noting that this example should show other tech companies how, if they fail to keep people safe, the UK government will act.

Finishing on a more hopeful note, Starmer announced a new AI job tool, which will help users, "find the right jobs, create their CVs and get back into work", and also revealed a new strategy to develop sovereign computing capabilities, including a commitment to purchasing specialist AI chips worth over 400 million.

"This government has made its choice," he concluded, "we choose to take control of our future, we choose to be ambitious about what Britain can achieve, and we choose to make AI work for the whole of our country." Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/innovation-is-in-this-countrys-dna-prime-ministe r-keir-starmer-says-the-uk-is-on-the-precipice-of-something-truly-extraordinar y-when-it-comes-to-ai


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