UK Launches AI Factory Antenna to Strengthen AI Partnership with Europe

30 May, 2025

The United Kingdom has initiated the AI Factory Antenna project, a strategic collaboration with the European Union aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) research and innovation. This initiative is designed to connect UK-based public research organizations to Europe's state-of-the-art supercomputing infrastructure, facilitating the development of complex AI models and applications.

Through this partnership, the UK government invites eligible institutions to apply for the role of hosting the AI Factory Antenna. If selected, the chosen organization will serve as the UK's gateway to an established AI Factory in Europe, providing access to high-performance computing resources, data, and software support. This collaboration is part of the broader EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, which aims to strengthen Europe's position in global AI research.

The AI Factory Antenna initiative aligns with the UK's AI Opportunities Action Plan, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in advancing AI capabilities. By leveraging Europe's supercomputing resources, UK researchers and startups can accelerate innovation in critical sectors such as healthcare, clean energy, and climate science.

The UK government has pledged up to £2.5 million in funding for the AI Factory Antenna, with additional matching funds potentially available from the EU, pending a successful application.This investment underscores the UK's commitment to fostering a robust AI ecosystem and reinforcing its role as a leader in AI research and development.

Applications for the AI Factory Antenna are open to public research organizations and consortia based in the UK. The deadline for submissions is 11 June 2025, with the selected entity to be endorsed by the UK government for submission to the EuroHPC call for AI Factory Antennae. This initiative marks an important advancement in enhancing UK-EU cooperation in the fields of AI research and innovation.

Related News

Interview