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ARTICLE · 18 JUNE 2026

Why The UK’s AI Package Is A Win For Hardware IP

Marks & Clerk
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Marks & Clerk

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The UK government has unveiled a £1.1 billion AI Adoption Package with a strategic focus on semiconductor innovation, including £150 million for next-generation inference chips from British startups and a £120 million hardware innovation programme.

United KingdomStrategy

As part of the recently announced AI Adoption Package, the UK AI Hardware Plan provides exciting opportunities for the UK semiconductor sector. 

While a significant portion of the £1.1 billion package is linked to high-performance infrastructure, there is a highly strategic twist: a £150 million "Advance Market Commitment" explicitly earmarked to buy next-generation inference chips from innovative startups and British firms. Alongside this, the package delivers a £150 million deeptech venture fund led by Playground Global and a £120 million AI Hardware Innovation Programme designed to help companies design, develop, and test innovative chips. 

Crucially, the investment also targets the grassroots, with funding allocated to support students obtaining vital skills in chip design and verification, alongside a landmark strategic partnership with Arm. 

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