Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff
H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA
The United Kingdom has secured a wave of multi-billion-dollar investments from some of America’s most powerful technology companies, following the signing of the “Tech Prosperity Deal” during US President Donald Trump’s state visit.
At a gathering in London’s Camden Town Hall, attended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, members of both governments, and leading figures from the tech industry, a video celebrated the long history of British scientific achievement. From George Stephenson and Ada Lovelace to Alan Turing and Nobel laureate Sir Demis Hassabis, the presentation highlighted the UK’s deep roots in innovation. Narrating the piece was Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, whose company recently hit a $4 trillion market value and pledged a further £2 billion in UK investments.
The announcements marked a broader “tech bromance” between the US and UK, with Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google all pledging significant commitments. Microsoft unveiled a £22 billion plan to expand its AI infrastructure in Britain, while Google confirmed a £5 billion investment, including a new data centre in Essex and expanded research through its DeepMind subsidiary.
Huang declared that the UK was poised to become an “AI superpower,” urging Britons to recognize the country’s strengths in science and technology. His message contrasted with a prevailing mood of economic caution at home.
Not everyone welcomed the developments. Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, now a senior executive at Meta, criticized the UK for relying too heavily on American firms, warning that Britain risked surviving on “crumbs from Silicon Valley’s table” while exporting talent abroad.
Despite such concerns, the UK government sees the partnership as a long-term economic opportunity. Business Secretary Peter Kyle argued that Britain’s role in global AI development will reinforce its place in international supply chains. However, critics caution that while foreign investment may boost infrastructure, it may not solve immediate challenges such as stagnant wages, public finances, or the loss of homegrown tech champions like Arm Holdings, which was sold overseas.
The Tech Prosperity Deal underscores Britain’s growing dependence on US technology but also highlights its indispensable role in AI research. Whether the surge in capital will translate into broader economic transformation remains uncertain, but the optimism it has generated could provide the UK with much-needed momentum.
