Hull and East Yorkshire’s Mayor wants the region to become a national leader in AI expertise, adoption and sector growth.
Mayor Luke Campbell MBE has formally written to the Government supporting two neighbouring areas’ bids to become AI Growth Zones. This includes hosting powerful new Data Centres, further leveraging the existing local strengths.
Luke said:
“We’re already powering ahead in AI – with the University of Hull at the forefront. Joining up across our work and the wider region can only benefit our wider economy, including our powerhouse industries who are pioneering its use in manufacturing, research and development.”
The Mayor has backed York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s AI Growth Zone bid centred around Drax Power Station. East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull University are key partners in the bid. The Mayor has also written to the Secretary of State for Innovation, Science and Technology (DSIT) to support North Lincolnshire’s bid.
There is already a strong record of research, education and professional training through the University, plus cross-sector adoption in many of Hull and East Yorkshire’s key industrial sectors. As well as establishing itself as the leading provider of AI education in the UK, Hull University‘s DAIM facility (Centre of Excellence of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Modelling) has established a national reputation, educating the next generation of data scientists and artificial intelligence practitioners and conducting major research.
Mayor Luke added:
“We can maximise these strengths through more partnership working across the private and public sector and wider region, to benefit local people here. That’s why I am actively supporting both bids.
“Government investment in AI would drive further investment, innovation and creation of high-skilled jobs, also supporting our goals of developing and retaining talent locally.
“We have the people, skills and drive to make Hull and East Yorkshire even more of a national leader in harnessing the power and opportunities from AI, nationally and internationally.”
Key local sectors including Land and Sea Logistics, Bioeconomy, Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences and MedTech, and New Energy and Energy Security are already developing the capabilities to maximise data, research and development opportunities from AI.
