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UK’s AI industry to get $1.4 billion boost in attempt to catch up to China

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7 years ago

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The United Kingdom’s AI industry is set to receive a $1.4 billion boost from American tech giants, European telecom companies, a Japanese venture capital fund, and the British government as part of an initiative to close the gap with China in the artificial intelligence field.

The $1.4 billion funding is comprised of 300 million pounds ($417 million) from private entities, 300 million pounds ($417 million) of new government spending, as well as 400 million pounds ($556 million) that the state had previously pledged.

According to a Bloomberg Technology report, American companies investing in the UK’s AI industry include Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp., Facebook Inc., as well as consulting firm PwC and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. From Canada, VC firm Chrysalix has pledged 110 million pounds ($153 million) for the country’s AI and robotics programs. Global Brain, a Japanese investment firm, also stated that it would be opening a European headquarters on top of a 35-million-pound ($48 million) investment in tech startups over the next five years.

The University of Cambridge further announced that it would be opening a 10-million-pound ($13 million) AI supercomputer, which would be offered to businesses for use. The British government, for its part, stated that it would sponsor 1,000 new Ph.D. places for individuals interested in pursuing post-graduate studies in artificial intelligence and its related disciplines. Plans were also announced to train 8,000 new computer science teachers for the secondary schools in the country.

Trade Commissioner for North America and Consul General in New York Antony Phillipson ultimately noted that Britain would likely not be able to compete with China in terms of raw funding or the scale of government-run AI initiatives, but it could eventually helm discussions around subjects such as AI ethics, safety, and regulation.

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Phillipson’s statement about China’s AI initiatives reflects much of the Asian country’s recent moves on ongoing AI push. Last year, China issued a bold declaration, stating that it would become the world leader in artificial intelligence by 2030. Since releasing its ambitious target, the Asian economic superpower has walked the walk, investing in AI research and supporting companies involved in the development of smart technologies.

Just recently, SenseTime, an AI startup from China, reached a total valuation of $4.5 billion after a funding round led by e-commerce giant Alibaba. SenseTime’s AI solutions range from fun, wholesome AR filters for mobile applications to more serious, intricate surveillance tech. Earlier this year, China has also announced plans to build an expansive $2.1-billion, 55-hectare tech park in Beijing, which is expected to host up to 400 businesses involved in the development of AI solutions and similar technologies.

Despite not aiming to be a world leader by 2030 like China, however, the UK still stands to benefit from the emergence of AI technology. According to Wendy Hall, a computer scientist from the University of Southampton, artificial intelligence and its related fields can add 654 billion pounds ($910 billion) to Britain’s economy by 2035.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Cybertruck

Tesla clears the air on Cybertruck ‘deactivation’ video that is obviously fake

Tesla has cleared the air on the viral video, stating it is fake.

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8 hours ago

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August 11, 2025

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Credit: Cybertruck | X

Tesla has cleared the air regarding a video that has been circulating, where the owner claims his Cybertruck was “deactivated” by the company while he was driving.

The video was shared on X and showed a driver pulled over on the side of the road, claiming his Cybertruck had been deactivated by Tesla in the middle of traffic. It is very obviously fake to those who know the company, but these kinds of things have a tendency to pick up steam.

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The video shows a screen that says:

“Tesla Cybertruck De-Activated. Critical Issue Detected | Contact Customer Service, Comply with Cease & Desist to Re-Activate. Update Failed, Return to Dealer.”

The same person who posted the video also shared an image of what appears to be a Cease and Desist letter from Tesla, but it is also likely fake:

The company finally responded to the video on Monday afternoon, stating that the video is, in fact, fake, reiterating that it will not disable vehicles remotely for any reason.

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It is a shame that these types of things happen, especially as people are prone to believe anything they see on the internet. As there is so much misinformation circulating surrounding Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, it is no surprise that someone would leverage the situation for their own benefit.

If that Cease and Desist letter is not real, perhaps the next one might be. These types of things can truly cause damage to a company’s reputation, and someone getting an idea that Tesla would remotely deactivate a car could prevent them from buying one.

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk is stepping up for Tesla Service in a big way

Elon Musk has stepped up to resolve a handful of customer issues regarding vehicle service.

Published

10 hours ago

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August 11, 2025

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tesla service
Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk is stepping up to help customers in a big way, especially when they are having issues with Tesla’s Service.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages Tesla owners have is access to Musk through X, his social media platform. Over the years, we’ve seen Tesla add features, refine its cars’ performance, and more, all through asking Musk directly through a post.

Now, Musk is stepping up in another way by resolving a few Service complaints that customers had.

The first occurred last week when a recall on a Tesla battery was not honored by Service. The company sought $30,000 for a replacement and labor, which was not right. Musk responded that he would personally investigate the matter. The vehicle was fixed at no cost as it was a recall, and was ready for pickup the next day.

It also revealed a new strategy Tesla is using to combat service communication issues:

Tesla creates clever solution to simplify and improve its Service

The next occurred with a Cybertruck owner who was in Japan. Their car was parked at an airport in the U.S. and had lost a vast majority of its state of charge, leaving them just fifty miles of range at the time.

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Musk reached out to the owner and said Service will take care of the car and will investigate the cause of the battery drain:

There are not too many companies out there where the CEO will get involved with individual issues like these. It’s pretty exclusive to Tesla, as Musk has commonly stepped up to resolve complaints with vehicles or to confront features that some owners might find useful.

Service has been a weak point of the company for some time, but it has worked to refine and resolve customer complaints by building more Service Centers across the world that can handle these issues.

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Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirms Robotaxi is opening to the public: here’s when

Anyone will be able to request a Tesla Robotaxi in September, Elon Musk said this morning.

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11 hours ago

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August 11, 2025

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Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer | X

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company’s Robotaxi platform is opening to the public, and he even gave a timeline for when anyone will be able to access one for a ride.

Tesla’s Robotaxi platform launched to a small group on June 22 in Austin, Texas. The company has continued to expand the number of riders and its geofence over the past month and a half.

Tesla officially launches Robotaxi service with no driver

Additionally, it launched rides in the Bay Area of California, but it differs slightly, as the Texas Robotaxi platform does not utilize a Safety Monitor in the driver’s seat. In California, the monitor sits in the driver’s seat.

As the geofence, service areas, and testing populations expand, Tesla fans are awaiting their elusive emails that enable their ability to use the Robotaxi platform. It now seems that the email will come soon, as Musk said Tesla will open up public access to Robotaxi next month:

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Tesla has been prioritizing safety over anything else with the launch of the Robotaxi platform, which is why it has been slow to push invitations to new riders. It is confident in the abilities of the platform and its Full Self-Driving suite, which has been proven with data.

However, even a single accident could set Tesla back years in terms of its development of self-driving cars. It is not a risk it is willing to take.

Musk said during the recent Q2 Earnings Call:

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“We need to make sure it works when the vehicles are fully under our control. It’s kind of one step at a time here. We don’t want to jump the gun. As I said, we’re being paranoid about safety. But I guess next year is I’d say confidently next year. I’m not sure when next year, but confidently next year, people would be able to add or subtract their car to the Tesla, Inc. fleet.”

As the platform will expand in Austin and the Bay Area for anyone, Tesla still continues to reiterate that Robotaxi will be available for everyone sometime next year, as Musk said in the quote above.

Things will continue to improve over time, and Tesla will likely expand its geofence in both regions in the coming weeks. It has already done that in Austin twice, with about a doubling in size occurring both times.

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