AI growth zones would make Yorkshire more attractive to tech giants, Turner & Townsend roundtable is told

The creation of AI growth zones in Britain is proposed as a strategy to attract major technology companies and unlock investment in AI-enabled data centers and related infrastructure. These zones would aim to streamline the development process by improving access to essential resources like power and providing planning support. The UK government has recognized data centers as "Critical National Infrastructure," indicating their importance and the expectation of increased government backing. A roundtable discussion organized by The Yorkshire Post and Turner & Townsend highlighted the potential for Yorkshire to become a hub for data center development. Experts emphasized that attracting global tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft requires not only their willingness to invest but also the availability of robust power, fiber optic networks, and water infrastructure. Establishing designated AI growth zones would make the region more economically desirable and simplify the process for developers. The discussion also covered the need for regional collaboration to benefit from data center growth. Partnerships with universities, such as the University of Sheffield and the University of Hull, are being explored to support growth zone bids, with the University of York noted for its leadership in AI technology assurance. A key consideration is how to ensure that local businesses benefit from the economic opportunities created by data centers, beyond the construction phase. Challenges such as ensuring the suitability of existing buildings for data centers and addressing significant security concerns for high-value assets were raised. The complexity of data center design, requiring greater accuracy and robust security, was stressed, particularly as these facilities are becoming targets due to their critical infrastructure status. Red tape and planning regulations were identified as potential hindrances to developing new sites, especially on old industrial land with existing high power a... download the app to read more