People across the UK will benefit from upgraded public services and cutting-edge technology as the UK and Canada agree to deepen collaboration on digital infrastructure and semiconductor research.
The new partnership includes the launch of a UK-Canada Semiconductor Research Network, bringing together leading experts from both countries to develop smarter, faster, and more energy-efficient chips – the tiny components powering phones, computers, and cars.
The network will focus on advanced materials, chip design, and packaging techniques to make devices more powerful and sustainable. Backed by £1.16 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and led by Professor Andy G Sellars at the University of Southampton, the initiative will support research exchanges, workshops, and events, fostering innovation and job creation.
This builds on a Growth and Innovation Partnership agreed earlier this year to strengthen trade ties and drive R\&D across semiconductors, quantum, digital, and AI sectors.
The announcement follows UK Tech Minister Ian Murray’s return from the G7 Summit in Montreal, where nations agreed practical steps to help businesses adopt AI, strengthen tech resilience, and upskill workers. These include accelerating public-private partnerships, sharing best practice, and investing in skills programmes to unlock productivity and growth.
The Tech Minister said:
“The UK and Canada are working hand in hand to shape the future of technology – from smarter, greener chips to AI that improves everyday services.
“This partnership will make life better for people in the UK. By sharing expertise and driving progress together, we’ll create new jobs and cut costs for hardworking people by bringing our public services into the modern age.”
As part of the deal, the UK and Canada will exchange knowledge on AI in public services, sharing digital tools and cloud-service designs that have improved efficiency and saved money.
Building on strong supercomputing ties, the UK’s National Supercomputing Centre in Edinburgh has signed an agreement with Canada’s Digital Research Alliance, enabling experts to collaborate on building and running powerful computers for cutting-edge research, including AI.
Canadian firms invested £30 billion in the UK economy in 2023, supporting more than 165,000 jobs. By deepening these connections, both countries aim to drive improvements in healthcare, public services, and economic growth, benefiting citizens now and for generations to come.
Image credit: iStock
