North Lanarkshire is set to become home to an artificial intelligence growth zone aimed at turning the area into one of the world’s most advanced AI sites, with the UK government claiming the plan could attract more than £8bn in private investment.
The hub will be based at DataVita’s site in Airdrie, in partnership with AI cloud firm CoreWeave. Around 800 AI jobs are expected alongside 2,600 construction roles linked to data centres, infrastructure and a renewables park. Roles will include researchers, coders and data centre staff, plus 50 apprenticeships.
A community fund worth about £543m over 15 years will be generated as capacity comes online, supporting training packages, after-school coding clubs and local charities and foodbanks. Energy will come from on-site renewables, with excess heat redirected to University Hospital Monklands, which is due to open a new facility in 2031 and become the country’s first fully net zero hospital.
The plans build on the UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan to accelerate AI data centre development. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the investment would create well-paid local jobs and help families with the cost of living.
Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said the project places the region at the heart of Britain’s industrial story and marks a new chapter for North Lanarkshire. DataVita managing director Danny Quinn added that the development would bring innovation parks, new energy infrastructure and inward investment, with benefits staying local.