Lanarkshire Named UK’s New AI Growth Zone

Scotland has taken a defining step forward in the global technology race, with Lanarkshire confirmed as the UK Government’s newest AI Growth Zone, unlocking fresh jobs, skills pathways, and billions of pounds in investment for local communities and the wider Scottish economy.

This landmark announcement today by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology positions Lanarkshire at the center of a strategic expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure across the UK, directly supporting more than 3,400 jobs and catalyzing high-value opportunities in digital innovation.

In Numbers: Jobs, Investment & Local Support

• 3,400+ jobs expected over the coming years — including around 800 high-paying roles focused on AI research, engineering, data science and digital systems.
• £8.2 billion in private investment committed to build and scale the Growth Zone.
• A new community fund of up to £543 million over the next 15 years aimed at cost-of-living support, local skills initiatives, apprenticeships and wide-ranging community programmes.

Delivered by Scottish data-centre specialist DataVita around its Airdrie hub, in partnership with global AI cloud provider CoreWeave, the Lanarkshire Growth Zone exemplifies how strategic tech investment can be rooted in local talent and community impact.

Skills, Apprenticeships & Scottish Talent

Alongside roles in cutting-edge AI and data centre operations, the initiative includes apprenticeships and training pipelines — designed to empower the next generation of Scottish AI professionals with real pathways into high-growth tech careers.

Local skills development is anchored in collaboration with universities and industry partners, offering opportunities from coding clubs and after-school digital programmes to formal vocational routes.

Community at the Heart

What makes the Lanarkshire announcement particularly compelling, beyond jobs and investment, is the explicit commitment to community benefit:

🏘️ Support for local programmes to help reduce cost-of-living pressures.
🎓 Funding for skills, training, and innovation initiatives.
🤝 Partnerships with charities, schools and civic organisations to ensure the Growth Zone’s economic benefits ripple far beyond the site itself.

Scotland’s Role in the UK’s AI Ambition

With Scotland already recognised for its strong tech research base, abundant renewable energy resources, and world-class digital talent, this latest Growth Zone reinforces the nation’s position as a key hub for responsible AI infrastructure and innovation.

What Comes Next

The Lanarkshire site is expected to become one of the most advanced AI installations globally, integrating renewable power generation and exploring innovative solutions around energy use and heat reuse, including opportunities to support local healthcare infrastructure in future phases.

Read the full Government Press Release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-than-3400-jobs-and-targeted-support-for-local-communities-to-help-tackle-the-cost-of-living-as-lanarkshire-named-latest-ai-growth-zone