Google to Invest £5bn in UK Ahead of Trump Visit

AFP/APP

London: Google announced Tuesday it will invest £5 billion ($6.8 billion) in the United Kingdom over the next two years to support the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions, ahead of a state visit by US President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Google said the investment would cover “capital expenditure, research and development … and encompasses Google DeepMind with its pioneering AI research in science and healthcare.”

The tech giant also inaugurated a data centre in Waltham Cross, eastern Hertfordshire, a £1 billion project announced last year. The latest pledge comes on top of previously announced commitments, a company spokesperson confirmed.

Trump was scheduled to arrive in Britain later Tuesday for his second state visit. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is expected to roll out extensive diplomatic courtesies for the American leader.

A senior US official said Trump will be accompanied by a “significant” number of US technology CEOs when he meets Starmer at his country residence on Thursday. US media reported that the delegation will include the heads of Nvidia and OpenAI.

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“This visit will highlight a new science and technology partnership that will include billions of dollars in new investment,” the US official told reporters.

The two countries are expected to sign agreements worth about £10 billion, including one aimed at accelerating the development of a new nuclear project and what British officials describe as “a world-leading tech partnership.”

On Sunday, Starmer welcomed investment pledges worth £1.25 billion from US finance firms, including PayPal and Citi Group.

The nuclear partnership is expected to bring faster regulatory approvals and attract new private sector investment in nuclear projects, supporting the UK’s net-zero and energy security goals.