By E+T Editorial Team Wed 31 Jan 2024
Collected at : https://eandt.theiet.org/2024/01/31/uk-and-canada-agree-collaborate-computing-power
The UK and Canada have signed a pair of agreements that commit them to working together on securing computing power for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, and to collaborating more closely in science and innovation.
The agreements were signed in Ottawa by UK technology minister Michelle Donelan and Canadian minister for innovation, science and industry François-Phillippe Champagne.
At the core of the first agreement is a shared commitment to exploring how the UK and Canada can support researchers and industry with secure, affordable access to computing power – in particular for the training and use of AI systems. The nations will also consider opportunities for collaboration on areas of shared strategic importance such as biomedicine.
Speaking at an event in Switzerland recently, Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI, said that a breakthrough in energy production will be required to continue advancing AI systems because of the vast amount of computing power they consume.
The second UK-Canada agreement marks a refreshed partnership to strengthen collaboration on science and innovation more generally. The agreement identifies several key technology areas – including clean energy, quantum, AI, semiconductors and bioengineering – in which the UK and Canada will make efforts to collaborate, with a view to tackling shared global challenges.
An additional focus on “scientific diplomacy”, a government statement said, will see the countries exchange expertise on international standards and technology regulation, helping inform international discussions at forums such as the G7 and G20.
Donelan said: “The UK’s unique partnership with Canada across science, innovation and technology is built on a shared desire to be an active force for good on the global stage. Today’s agreements deepen that relationship even further, as we commit to working side by side to address the defining technological challenges of our generation.”
Champagne added: “Today’s memorandums of understanding on scientific research, innovation and AI compute will drive positive impacts across all fields of research and innovation, help businesses accelerate commercialisation, and link our leading researchers together. These agreements will strengthen our AI companies and enable our researchers, as well as encourage sharing research excellence with the Global South to build international capacity and address worldwide challenges.”
In September, the University of Bristol was chosen to host one of Europe’s most powerful supercomputers , which would serve as a national resource for academia and industry. The supercomputer, Isambard-AI, is set to be used by a range of organisations for AI research, including for drug discovery and climate modelling.
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