The region’s supercomputing capabilities, alongside assets like the National Innovation Centre for Data and the Ethical AI Institute, make it an ideal testbed to supercharge the AI economy.
With flexible Grade A office space, data centres, science and technology hubs, and national innovation centres, the region boasts a wealth of assets and facilities to support the growth of data and AI businesses.
Supercomputing
North East England’s computing power is among the best in Europe with Cobalt Park Data Centres already established in North Tyneside and QTS’s £10 billion investment in their Cambois Data Centre Campus at Blyth due to open in 2028.
Cobalt Park Data Centres provide local, national and international connectivity, as the newest cable landing station delivering subsea and terrestrial networks in Europe connecting through Dublin to the USA and via the Nordics to Northern and Central Europe.
The QTS Cambois Data Centre Campus will be a flagship project, solidifying the region as one of the largest data centre hubs anywhere in Europe and positioning the North East at the forefront of the next technology revolution.
Assets
The National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) is led by a team of PhD and Masters-level data scientists who work to ensure that organisations across the country are equipped to reap the benefits of the global data-driven revolution. A hub of the Hartree Centre is also located at the NICD which fosters business support, collaboration, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in Newcastle is the first northern science and technology hub. The Newcastle hub specialises in AI and data science research aimed at helping the Ministry of Defence turn data into an information advantage and ethically accelerate AI adoption. This includes leveraging data innovation to improve operational insight, decision-making, and resilience.
DSTL is strategically co-located at the NICD and is led by a team of PhD and Masters-level data scientists who work to ensure that organisations have access to local SME partners, Newcastle University, and the broader innovation ecosystem. It also collaborates with local organisations like Defence and Security Accelerator, North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster, and NICD, to tap into fresh expertise and suppliers.
UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Citizen-Centred Artificial Intelligence (CCAI) at Northumbria University brings citizens to the heart of AI’s design and development. The centre is training over 60 PhD researchers over the next 8 years to lead the way in developing AI applications and services that serve citizens as well as governments and businesses.
Durham Innovation District is a new proposal from Durham City Council, with the backing of Durham University, that will give businesses access to talent, research, networks, and resources within a setting that combines high quality infrastructure and amenity with a strong community feel. The innovation district, is already home to the Durham City Incubator and established businesses such as Waterstons Ltd. Plus, it is close to Durham University Business School, making it a natural home for innovative and knowledge rich businesses.