UK Economy Grows 0.4% in Q2 as AI-Linked Sectors Drive Nearly Half the Gain
Updated
Updated · DIGIT.FYI · Aug 14
UK Economy Grows 0.4% in Q2 as AI-Linked Sectors Drive Nearly Half the Gain
3 articles · Updated · DIGIT.FYI · Aug 14
Summary
The Office for National Statistics said information and communications generated nearly half of the UK’s 0.4% Q2 GDP growth, making it the quarter’s main engine.
Computer programming, consultancy and related activities—covering many AI firms—rose 3.7% in Q2 after 3.8% growth in Q1, pointing to sustained AI-led momentum.
Plant and machinery spending climbed to £22.1 billion in Q2, with ICT equipment, computer hardware and government weapons contracts lifting investment in AI-related infrastructure.
Manufacturing data reinforced that shift: computing, electronic and optical products grew 10.7% from a year earlier, the strongest increase across manufacturing.
The figures suggest AI investment is moving from software into data centres, chips and power capacity, even as the UK tries to keep pace with US-led competition and debates over data sovereignty and data-centre impacts.