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Nvidia ( NVDA ) CEO says UK has top AI ecosystem but lacks

infrastructure

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FCA to launch new framework for firms to test AI tools

(Adds CEO quotes in paragraphs 1 to 6, details in paragraph 11)

By Sam Tabahriti

LONDON, June 9 (Reuters) - Britain lacks the computing

infrastructure to deliver the full potential of its leading

artificial intelligence research base, Nvidia's ( NVDA ) CEO

said on Monday, as the UK partners with the U.S. chipmaker for a

new AI testing environment.

Jensen Huang's comments came as the Financial Conduct

Authority announced a new framework to allow financial firms to

experiment with AI tools in a controlled environment from

October, part of a government strategy to support innovation and

economic growth.

"The UK is the largest AI ecosystem in the world without its

own infrastructure," Huang told an audience at London Tech Week

alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, citing the country's top

universities, startups and third-largest AI venture capital

market.

He praised Starmer's plan to boost Britain's domestic

computing capabilities by 20 times and provide 1 billion pounds

($1.36 billion) of investment.

"The ability to build these AI supercomputers here in the UK

will naturally attract more startups, it will naturally enable

all of the rich ecosystem of researchers here," he added, saying

Britain was "an incredible place to invest".

The FCA has partnered with Nvidia ( NVDA ) to provide access to

advanced computing power and bespoke AI.

The programme is intended to help firms in the early stages

of exploring AI, offering access to technical expertise, better

datasets and regulatory support, the FCA said. It is open to all

financial services companies experimenting with AI.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves has urged Britain's

regulators to remove barriers to economic growth, describing it

as an "absolute top priority" for the government.

In April, she said she was pleased with how the FCA and the

Prudential Regulation Authority, part of the Bank of England,

were responding to her call to cut red tape.

Starmer also said in a speech opening London Tech Week that

Israeli fintech firm Liquidity Group would open its European

headquarters in London, representing an investment of 1.5

billion pounds.

($1 = 0.7369 pounds)