The UK Government initiative aims to revitalise deindustrialised areas by creating high tech employment hubs.
Communities that were once at the forefront of energy intensive sectors already have the infrastructure necessary to support the rapid development of artificial intelligence industries. These parts of the country often report higher-than-average unemployment rates.
Labour hopes transforming these areas into AI Growth Zones can help offer new working opportunities where they are needed most. The scheme will also look at locations which are now developing major energy projects, ensuring that tech companies can plug into power sources as quickly as possible.
The initiative follows Downing Street’s £14billion AI Opportunities Action Plan, which launched in January. Energy companies, data and AI firms are now being called on to support the rollout of Zones by working with local authorities to fast track investment and development. Sites in Scotland, North East and North West England, and Wales are currently being considered, but capacity remains for more.
‘We set out our new blueprint for AI less than a month ago, and we’re already delivering on that vision by harnessing technology to supercharge our Plan for Change,’ said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. ‘These new AI Growth Zones will deliver untold opportunities – sparking new jobs, fresh investment and ensuring every corner of the country has a real stake in our AI-powered future.
‘We’re leaving no stone unturned in how we can harness expertise from all over the UK to deliver new opportunities, fresh growth, better public services and cement our position as an AI pioneer, and that’s the message I will be sending to international partners and AI companies at the AI Action Summit,’ he continued.
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