Under the recently launched AI Opportunities Action Plan, serial entrepreneur Matt Clifford has proposed the establishment of ‘AI Growth Zones’ across the UK, aimed at cultivating clusters of artificial intelligence expertise. This initiative seeks to implement a fast-track approval system in these designated zones, bypassing typical planning processes to expedite development and innovation in AI.
The inaugural AI Growth Zone has been identified as Culham in Oxfordshire, which is notable for housing the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority. The location’s proximity to leading technology firms, including Oxford Nanopore, Oxa, and Oxford Instruments, positions it as a strategic hub for AI advancement.
In addition to Culham, UKTN has put forward three potential candidates for the development of further AI Growth Zones: Newcastle upon Tyne, Newport, and Buckinghamshire.
Newcastle upon Tyne emerges as a strong contender, bolstered by its growing tech cluster and home to the UK's second-largest tech entity, enterprise software and fintech firm Sage. The city boasts several prestigious educational institutions, including the University of Newcastle and Durham University, known for producing a steady stream of graduates skilled in data science and technology. Furthermore, Newcastle has witnessed significant investment in data infrastructure, exemplified by plans from asset management firm Blackstone to transform the former Blyth power station into a £10 billion data centre capable of generating thousands of jobs. In recent years, the region has benefited from ‘levelling up’ funding aimed at stimulating economic growth.
Newport in Wales also presents notable characteristics that align with the requirements of an AI Growth Zone. The city has historical connections to technological advancement, including its association with the significant funding of Google and the seminal AI research paper authored by Llion Jones. With the recent acquisition of a major microchip foundry by the US semiconductor company Vishay, Newport has continued to strengthen its semiconductor presence, catering to the essential computational needs of AI businesses. The establishment of the Vantage data centre campus, one of the largest in the UK, further fortifies the city's position as a potential site for AI development, particularly given the surge in new data centre applications submitted since 2020.
Buckinghamshire stands out as another prime candidate, combining advantageous geographic positioning near London, a proficient tech workforce, and existing technological infrastructure. Notably, the area is home to Bletchley Park, which during World War II served as a critical site for intelligence and computational innovation under mathematician Alan Turing. Today, the region continues to attract significant attention, exemplified by its hosting of the world’s first global summit addressing AI safety in 2023. Recent research highlights Buckinghamshire's high level of planning activity for data centres, with twelve applications submitted across the past five years, showcasing the area's readiness for enhanced AI capabilities.
The establishment of AI Growth Zones is a strategic move towards catalysing the UK’s position in the global AI landscape, with the government aiming to reap the economic benefits associated with advancing AI technologies. As these zones are considered and developed, their potential impact on local economies and the broader tech ecosystem will be closely monitored.
Source: Noah Wire Services