Nvidia, Microsoft and Cisco say UK has a year to head off datacentre protests

The SAIL taskforce, including Nvidia, Microsoft and Cisco, told UK ministers they have about 12 months to prevent US-style public opposition to datacentres. It proposes a "compact" giving host communities more benefits, such as retaining business rates; Microsoft has pledged $30bn for UK AI infrastructure.

• SAIL urges letting councils that host datacentres keep more tax revenue
• Microsoft has promised $30bn in UK AI infrastructure investment
• Local opposition has already halted fully permitted datacentre projects in the US
• PauseAI UK and Foxglove criticised the plan to financially incentivise communities