The UK risks falling behind in the global AI race unless it urgently upgrades its telecoms infrastructure, according to a new report.
The report, published by the Digital Infrastructure Advisory Group, warns that the country's current fibre and 5G networks are not sufficient to support the data demands of advanced artificial intelligence systems.
Investment needed in fibre and 5G
It calls for increased investment in full-fibre broadband and 5G mobile networks, arguing that these are essential for the UK to remain competitive in AI development and deployment.
The group, which includes industry experts, said that without such upgrades, the UK could lose out on economic opportunities and technological leadership.
Economic and technological impact
The report highlights that AI applications, from autonomous vehicles to healthcare diagnostics, require high-speed, low-latency connectivity that current networks often cannot provide.
It warns that other countries, particularly in Asia and North America, are already investing heavily in next-generation telecoms, putting the UK at a disadvantage.
The group urges the government and industry to work together to accelerate the rollout of digital infrastructure, warning that delays could have long-term consequences for the UK's digital economy.
