Local authorities across the country are being encouraged to put their communities forward to become a dedicated hotbed for AI infrastructure development, and potentially attract millions in investment.

As the UK Government begins ramping up its much heralded Plan for Change, focus will be given to deindustrialised areas of the country in the hope of transforming them into ‘AI Growth Zones’.

Under the plans, councils and regional authorities are able to submit proposals for such sites, with the government taking particular interest in those with existing access to power or which might be suitable to establish major energy infrastructure.

Energy companies, data centre developers, and others in industry are also being called upon to help drive forward the plans, with timelines, development milestones and partnership opportunities that will help to inform the final selection of sites and broader policy decisions later this year. 

The government said that interest is already building for promising sites in Scotland, Wales, the North East, and the North West, with more work set to begin on additional locations across the UK.

Scotland office minister, Kirsty McNeill, said: “Scotland is already at the centre of these plans, with our world-leading universities at the forefront of AI development and our industrial heritage providing a range of possible sites.

“I would encourage our local authorities to explore becoming an AI Growth Zone, which will help attract further investment.”

The government’s announcement comes at the start of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit being held in Paris over the next two days. 

The event will see heads of state and government, as well as leaders of international organisations, NGOs, CEOs, artists and members of civil society gather to develop joint policy approaches and technical solutions to the challenges posed by AI. 

Announced to coincide with the summit kicking off, the UK’s latest AI initiative would see planning accelerated to rapidly build out vital infrastructure, including for data centres and energy connections to power the next wave of AI innovations.

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It is hoped that the plan will also attract private investment into local areas, create skilled jobs and strengthen the UK’s global AI leadership, following the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which the government said had already attracted over £14 billion in investment since launching last month.

“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,” said Peter Kyle secretary of state for science and technology.

“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.