The Times Tech Podcast What the £31 billion UK-US tech deal really means
Sep 18, 2025
In this discussion, Michael Intrator, CEO of CoreWeave, dives into the recent £31 billion UK-US tech deal aimed at boosting AI infrastructure. He explores the significance of CoreWeave's £1.5 billion investments in the UK, focusing on the challenges of building data centres, managing energy needs, and achieving efficient cooling. Intrator also highlights the UK's strategic advantages, including low latency and a skilled workforce, while addressing the geopolitical implications of AI and the critical role of cooperation in enhancing national power.
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Deals Are Chips Plus Cash
- The £31bn tech announcements combine cash, chip allocations and customer commitments rather than pure upfront cash.
- NVIDIA, OpenAI and others pledged chips or offtake deals that accelerate UK AI capacity without only writing big cheques.
Tech Deals As Geopolitical Strategy
- The tech prosperity deal is framed as geopolitics as much as commerce, signalling Western coordination versus China.
- Government and industry aim to build a Western AI alliance through investment and partnership.
CoreWeave Doubled Down On UK
- Michael Intrator recounts CoreWeave's increased UK commitment growing from £1bn to £2.5bn total investment.
- He describes the UK as the largest CoreWeave investment outside the US and vital to global AI infrastructure plans.