Lanarkshire Named UK AI Growth Zone With £8.2 Billion Investment

Overview

• The UK government designated Lanarkshire as the latest AI Growth Zone, anchored at DataVita’s Airdrie site in North Lanarkshire.
• Officials say the zone could create more than 3,400 jobs, with around 800 roles in higher‑paid AI and digital work.
• DataVita and CoreWeave outline about £1.5 billion to build a production‑grade AI cloud within a wider private investment reported at roughly £8.2 billion.
• Project plans include delivering more than 500MW of on‑site power within four years and exploring waste‑heat reuse to support University Hospital Monklands.
• A community fund of up to £543 million over 15 years, 50 apprenticeships and other local measures are proposed, while delivery depends on planning and regulatory approvals with further national backing signalled via the Sovereign AI Unit expected in April 2026.