Google to invest £5bn in UK AI as Trump begins state visit
Alphabet plans to invest £5 billion in the UK over the next two years, starting with a new data centre in Waltham Cross and extra funding for DeepMind. The announcement coincides with President Trump’s state visit, with both sides hinting at more tech deals to follow.
The Waltham Cross facility will support Google services like Cloud, Workspace, Search and Maps. Google said the plan is designed to strengthen Britain’s AI economy and skills base, projecting about 8,250 jobs a year at UK businesses tied to its ecosystem.
Energy supply sits at the center of the plan. Google named Shell as its 24/7 carbon‑free energy manager in the UK, aiming to use battery storage and portfolio optimization to smooth renewable output and support the grid. The company targets UK operations running at or near 95% carbon‑free energy in 2026.
Google is deepening our roots in the UK,said Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer, Alphabet and Google.
She highlighted technical infrastructure, expanded energy capacity and job‑ready AI skills.
The investment lands alongside broader transatlantic initiatives. London is pitching an advanced‑nuclear pact with Washington that includes plans for 12 modular reactors in northeast England, while the U.S. business delegation accompanying Trump, including major AI players, is expected to explore additional partnerships. Finance minister Rachel Reeves called the Google move a vote of confidence in the UK economy.
Whether the week yields a flurry of announcements or not, Google’s data‑centre opening underscores the race to scale AI capacity in Europe, with companies bundling compute, clean‑power contracts and workforce programs to anchor growth in key hubs like the London area.
