Durham University welcomes the UK Government’s announcement (Wednesday 17 September) that North East England will become an AI Growth Zone. It is a considerable boost for Durham City and our wider region.
The University’s significant academic expertise will play a key part in unlocking the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), contributing to the regional and national economy and skills.
Durham University Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien said: “Today’s announcement of the AI Growth Zone is exciting and very welcome news.
“It will attract businesses to the region who can collaborate with our universities, creating jobs and helping us to retain highly-skilled graduates in North East England.
“Durham is a world-leading university that is proudly part of our city, county and region - driving innovation, boosting skills, raising aspirations and playing a key part in the transformative AI sector.
“We look forward to working with our partners in the AI Growth Zone which will bring undoubted benefits to the prosperity of our region.
“The AI Growth Zone will also support our ambitions to develop the Durham Innovation District as a home for data-intensive businesses, in partnership with Durham County Council."
Put newly trained AI experts from local universities including Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Northumbria within touching distance of the UK’s newest emerging tech hub.
Create thousands of jobs across the region, including in construction through to data engineering, AI research and development, and AI safety. It will also attract data-intensive businesses and make the North East an attractive location for start-ups and spin-out companies.
Drive local economic growth and increase productivity of businesses in sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, energy and finance by enabling them to more easily adopt AI and compete globally.
See new breakthroughs in our understanding of drug discovery, climate change and safer technology by giving researchers, scientists, start-ups and academics access to AI power.
We conduct significant and interdisciplinary AI research through our Computer Science Department, the Institute for Data Science, and various cross-department collaborations.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “Today’s announcement of an AI Growth Zone places the North East at the forefront of the next technology revolution and will lead to billions of pounds of new investment in our region, thousands of better jobs and new opportunities for local people.
“…We have the skills and brainpower in our tech sector and universities, and now we can match that with the new investment this Growth Zone will bring to the North East from around the world.”
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “This is great news for the North East and the people who live there. This investment will create thousands of high-quality jobs, boost skills and inspire the creation of new firms.”
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/83431-1920X290.jpg)