UK government met 137 businesses on AI datacentres, no environmental groups

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 08:27 · Archive

The UK government met 137 businesses while developing its AI datacentre policy but held no meetings with environmental groups, an investigation found.

An investigation by Spotlight on Corruption examined 40 freedom of information requests over 12 months to find how the UK government developed its policy on AI datacentres and 'AI growth zones'. The nonprofit found that ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general met 137 businesses – some several times – to discuss Britain's datacentre policy. By contrast, senior officials met only two community groups and no environmental organisations.

Kamila Kingstone, a campaign lead at the nonprofit, said: "The government totally failed at the most senior level to speak to environmental NGOs or community groups when developing its flagship policy on AI datacentres. This is despite the serious environmental implications of its plans."

The investigation identified 38 senior officials who left government for positions at AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026, including nine from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which has played a central role in shaping Britain's AI strategy.

How it is being reported

• UK ministers had plenty of time for AI datacenter bosses, but none for environmental groupsInvestigation finds businesses dominated govt meetings while communities were left out of decisions about AI Growth ZonesThe Register · 27 Oct, 11:00
• UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groupsInvestigation finds dozens of ministers and civil servants moved into AI roles as government developed datacentre expansion plans The UK’s policy on datacentres and AI was developed without any meetings with environmental groups, an investigation has found. The nonprofit organisation Spotlight on Corruption said a “considerable revolving door” shaped the government’s development of “AI growth zones”, a central plank of the former prime minister Keir Starmer’s AI and economic policy, with 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers hired to positions in AI companies between July…Guardian Business · 27 Oct, 07:00

In this story: UK government · Spotlight on Corruption · Keir Starmer · OpenAI · Anthropic · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

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