MANCHESTER, England — Britain’s economy is showing the clearest signs yet that it is benefitting from the global artificial intelligence boom, with data on Thursday showing rapid growth in related industries and a surge in computer hardware investment.
While the Office for National Statistics said Britain’s economy grew by 0.4% in the second quarter, the information and communications sector contributed almost half of that expansion — more than any other industry.
Within the sector, the ONS said the output of computer programming, consultancy and related activities — which would include AI companies — surged by 3.7% on the quarter, on top of a 3.8% rise in the previous quarter.
Since becoming prime minister in July, Andy Burnham has made AI a Cabinet-level priority.
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