Cisco channels $100m into the UK's booming artificial intelligence sector

Global telecoms tech firm Cisco has announced it will be investing $100m (£76.8m) Backed by Prime Minister Theresa May and digital secretary Jeremy Wright to run in tandem to the government's industrial strategy, Cisco will partner with University College London (UCL) to open one of the world's largest research centres for AI. The centre will become a hub for addressing ways to integrate AI into British industry by housing more than 200 UCL academics and researchers, as well as developing up and coming AI talent. Announced this morning at Downing Street, May called the investment a "vote of confidence" in the government's industrial strategy. "We believe that the UK's expertise in AI and its commitment to making sure future innovators have the right digital skills will help ensure the nation's citizens are well-positioned to capture the opportunity ahead," said Chuck Robbins, Cisco's chairman and chief executive.