Lanarkshire has been announced as the location of Scotland’s new AI Growth Zone, which will help to boost jobs, skills, and economic growth across the region
The new AI Growth Zone is part of the UK government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and is expected to create more than 3,400 jobs over the coming years while delivering targeted support to help local communities tackle the cost of living.
The AI Growth Zone will be developed around a major data centre site in Airdrie by Scottish company DataVita, in partnership with AI cloud firm CoreWeave. Together, they will help position Lanarkshire as one of the most advanced AI hubs in Europe.
Jobs, skills, and opportunities for local people
From the 3,400 jobs expected to be created, around 800 will be high-value, long-term roles in AI and digital infrastructure, including positions for researchers, engineers, coders, and data centre specialists.
The remaining roles will largely be in construction and infrastructure as the site is built out, including data centres, supporting facilities, and a renewables park.
The project also emphasises skills development. At least 50 apprenticeships will be delivered to help train the next generation of Scottish AI talent, alongside wider training programmes, after-school coding clubs, and access to AI learning opportunities for people across the region.
Billions in investment and a major community fund
The Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone is backed by £8.2 billion in private investment, helping to drive long-term economic renewal in North Lanarkshire and the wider central Scotland area.
In addition, a community fund of up to £543 million will be created over the next 15 years, generated as data centre capacity comes online.
This funding will support local programmes such as skills training, education initiatives, charities, food banks, and other frontline services designed to ease pressure on household budgets and improve quality of life. DataVita’s parent company, HFD Group, will also contribute an additional £1 million per year directly to local charities and community groups.
When completed, the Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone will be one of the most advanced AI facilities in the world. Plans include more than 500MW of on-site power generation, drawing heavily on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
The project will also explore innovative ways to reduce AI’s energy impact, including reusing excess heat from data centre cooling systems to potentially support nearby facilities such as University Hospital Monklands.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
“Today’s announcement is about creating good jobs, backing innovation and making sure the benefits AI will bring can be felt across the community – that’s how the UK government is delivering real change for the people of Scotland.
“From thousands of new jobs and billions in investment through to support for local people and their families, AI Growth Zones are bringing generation-defining opportunity to all corners of the country.”
Part of a wider UK AI strategy
The Lanarkshire announcement brings the total number of AI Growth Zones across the UK to five, joining sites in Oxfordshire, North and South Wales, and the North East of England. Together, these zones are expected to support up to 15,000 jobs and attract more than £28 billion in private investment, reinforcing the UK’s position as Europe’s leading AI economy.
