UK Is Falling Behind US in the Race for AI, BOE’s Haskel Says

US software investment as a share of GDP doubled to 4% between 2015 and 2023, while stagnating around 2% in the UK over the same period.

Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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The US is leading the UK on AI investments, raising concerns about a widening productivity gap, according to Bank of England policymaker Jonathan Haskel.

AI output can be quantified as a mix of fast computers, software and large databases, Haskel said, speaking to the Society of Professional Economists in a video published Thursday. While databases are not part of GDP calculations, software and hardware investment data suggest the US is embracing AI at a much faster rate than the UK.