AI Growth Zone secured for the North East
A statement from Kim McGuinness:
"I am delighted to tell you we have today secured an AI Growth Zone for the North East - a partnership with some of the biggest names in global computing and the UK Government which puts us at the forefront of the next technology revolution.
"Our AI Growth Zone will help us attract billions of pounds in new investment to the North East and create up to 5,000 new jobs in the long term. It will supercharge our own technology sector and the many local companies we already work alongside.
"For me this is about a simple vision: I want kids in our schools to see their place in an AI-driven future. We know AI will be transformative for our economy, but this is how we make sure it also provides a new future for our young people. We will be working with business to create training and apprenticeship routes into this fast-growing sector on a whole new scale, and I expect to bring you further news on how we will do that in the next few weeks.
"North East England boasts computing power among the best in Europe with Cobalt Park Data Centres already established in North Tyneside and QTS’s £10 billion investment in the Cambois Data Centre Campus at Blyth due to open in 2028. The potential is there for further development in Sunderland, at NetPark in Durham and across our region which we can now unlock.
"AI can be a force for good in education, in healthcare and in the way we deliver public services. We have the skills and brainpower in our technology sector and universities, and now we can match that to new investment this Growth Zone will bring from around the world, from companies including NVidia, Nscale and Open AI.
"A huge amount of work from many friends across the North East has gone into making this Al Growth Zone happen. I am determined its benefits be felt right across the region. The sites at Cobalt and Cambois must be just our beginning. I look forward to working with partners across the region to unlock the full potential."
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor.
