The UK government is seeking ways to update the nation’s energy grid to keep up with the demands of its AI ambitions.

The AI Energy Council gathered to discuss the future energy needs of the wider AI sector, meeting with Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator, energy providers, and tech companies to discuss how the grid deliver a twenty-fold increase in compute capacity over the next five years.

The meeting was also set to cover which sectors are likely to quickly adopt AI, and how this could drive significant shifts in energy demand. Discussions aimed to focus on what assumptions need to be made to accurately forecast that demand, ensuring the energy system is prepared for AI.

Compute power is a keystone element of AI development – without proper support, AI deployments and advancements will fall flat, and the UK could risk falling behind in the AI race. By increasing the UK’s capacity, it will give scientists and AI companies from across the UK access to the systems they need for their AI systems.

“Giving our researchers and innovators access to the processing power they need will not only maintain our standing as the world’s third-biggest AI power, but put British expertise at the heart of the AI breakthroughs which will improve our lives, modernise our public services, and spark the economic growth which is the cornerstone of our Plan for Change,” secretary of state for science, innovation, and technology, Peter Kyle, said.

“We are clear-eyed though on the need to make sure we can power this golden era for British AI through responsible, sustainable energy sources. Today’s talks will help us drive forward that mission, delivering AI infrastructure which will benefit communities up and down the country for generations to come without ever compromising on our clean energy superpower ambitions.”

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Previously, the AI Energy Council met to discuss how the government could support AI development while upholding sustainability commitments.

“We are making the UK a clean energy superpower, building the homegrown energy this country needs to get bills down for good and create new jobs as part of our Plan for Change,” secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Ed Miliband, said.

“Bringing together the biggest players in AI and energy will help us discuss the role AI can play an important role in building a new era of clean electricity for our country, and meeting the power demands of new technology as we build a clean power system for families and businesses.”