The UK government is teaming up with Google's DeepMind to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can accelerate the planning process for building new houses. The goal is to make it easier and faster to grant planning permissions, which can currently take months or even years. This AI-powered prototype will use machine learning algorithms to analyze data and make recommendations on housing developments. --- Why it matters: This matters because the UK's housing shortage has been a pressing issue for years, with many people struggling to find affordable homes. An AI-accelerated planning system could help speed up the process of getting new houses built, which is essential for addressing this crisis. Source: https://deepmind.google/blog/unlocking-uk-house-building-with-ai-accelerated-planning/