Following the publication of the UK Government’s AI Hardware Plan, Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult has welcomed the announcement that it will transition to become the Semiconductor Catapult. This transition to the Semiconductor Catapult addresses a critical gap in UK AI infrastructure, developed from the Catapult’s existing capability to focus on R&D for energy-efficient, deployable systems to accelerate the journey from AI research to real-world deployment, for data centres and industry.
The Semiconductor Catapult will build on CSA Catapult’s existing role, supporting innovation from concept through to commercialisation, and enabling scale-up across the UK semiconductor sector. It will continue to play a key part in strengthening the UK’s semiconductor supply chain.
Caroline O’Brien, CEO of CSA Catapult, said: “Improving the performance and energy efficiency of AI data centres remains a significant global and national challenge. UK semiconductor companies have world leading products and services that can be used in the hardware needed for AI data centres. The Semiconductor Catapult working with industry will deliver breakthroughs in R&D in energy efficient deployable systems, to reduce risk and ensure even more start-ups can leverage new supply chains anchored in the UK. By refocusing, we will broaden our support for UK companies in design, development and commercialisation across the wider UK semiconductor sector. As the Semiconductor Catapult, we will work to increase the adoption of UK-designed semiconductor technologies in AI infrastructure, including data centres across the UK. We look forward to continuing our work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Innovate UK to support delivery of the UK’s AI Hardware Plan.”
AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said: “Our AI Hardware Plan is about backing British firms at every stage, from early research through to deployment. AI hardware is one of the fastest growing and most strategically important sectors in the global economy, and the UK is well placed to lead. “One of the biggest challenges for UK chip companies is getting from a brilliant design to a product that is ready for market. The new Semiconductor Catapult will help close that gap, supporting British firms to get their technology out of the lab and into the systems driving the AI revolution.” CSA Catapult, part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, will begin transitioning to Semiconductor Catapult over the summer.
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