Examining strategies for shared computer use in various parts of the world
In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), the race to build powerful computing infrastructure is intensifying. Governments worldwide are recognising the need to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, including large-scale data centers and specialized hardware, to support the growing demands of AI research and development (R&D).
The UK's recent cancellation of a £900 million investment in an exascale supercomputer serves as a stark reminder of the scale of investment required and the political challenges of securing long-term funding commitments. Nevertheless, the focus remains on advancing innovation through public compute initiatives.
These initiatives, such as the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) in Europe, aim to develop and maintain a world-class supercomputing ecosystem. The EuroHPC JU, with a focus on AI model training in strategic sectors, is a prime example of this ambition.
However, the concentrated nature of the AI sector creates risks that the benefits of these investments will primarily accrue to large private companies. Common conditions for access to public compute resources include development practices and safety requirements, licensing and commercial model restrictions, requirements around open publication of research, and commitments to public benefit applications.
In the United States, the 2025 AI Action Plan emphasizes building American AI infrastructure as a core pillar. Strategies include advancing agency adoption of classified compute environments, streamlining permitting and regulatory processes, utilising federal lands, restoring domestic semiconductor manufacturing, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and providing financial support to qualifying projects.
These strategies represent a comprehensive approach integrating infrastructure development, regulatory reform, security, and domestic supply chain revitalization to support AI compute provision. While the search results focus primarily on the US, this reflects a broader global trend. Other advanced economies, like France and India, are adopting similar approaches involving public funding, streamlined regulations, and partnerships with the private sector.
In summary, current public provision strategies emphasize building secure, scalable AI computing infrastructure, cutting permitting delays, restoring critical hardware manufacturing, expanding energy capacity, and enforcing cybersecurity—all with substantial government involvement and regulatory adjustment to accelerate AI R&D capabilities.
The research discussed in this article is carried out by Ada with the support of the Mozilla Foundation. The findings reveal that costs for public compute initiatives can vary enormously, depending on scope and delivery model, and can be funded through direct public investment, public-private agreements, or user charging. The UK, China, and India are some of the countries adopting these strategies, each with their unique approaches.
As AI continues to evolve, so too will the strategies for public provision of compute. The goal remains to support scientific research and innovation, increase access to AI research capabilities, build strategic technological capabilities, and support domestic industry and startups carrying out fundamental AI research, all while maintaining a balance between equitable and open access for research and returns to the public purse.
- The ongoing focus on public compute initiatives, such as the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) and the 2025 AI Action Plan in the United States, extends to various sectors, including finance, where efficient computational resources are essential for complex risk modeling and portfolio optimization.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, digital learning platforms require powerful computing infrastructure to deliver virtual reality experiences, AI-driven adaptive learning algorithms, and real-time analytics for personalized learning pathways, ensuring an inclusive lifestyle scenario for all students.
