AI boom is starting to show in UK economy's performance

MANCHESTER, England, Aug 13 : Britain's economy is showing the clearest signs yet that it is benefitting from the global artificial intelligence boom, with data on Thursday showing rapid growth in related industries and a surge in computer hardware investment.While the Office for National Statistics said Britain's economy grew by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter, the information and communications sector contributed almost half of that expansion — more than any other industry.Within the sector, the ONS said the output of computer programming, consultancy and related activities — which would include AI companies — surged by 3.7 per cent on the quarter, on top of a 3.8 per cent rise in the previous quarter.Since becoming prime minister in July, Andy Burnham has made AI a Cabinet-level prio