The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is leading the cross-party bid, which has been developed in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, Drax Power Station, and the University of York, as well as a host of other public and private sector organisations.
The bid sets out how a Government decision to locate an AI Growth Zone in York and North Yorkshire could unlock growth of circa £85billion, across the whole of Yorkshire and Humber region.
Mayor David Skaith said: “Seizing on our long-established history at the forefront of innovation, York and North Yorkshire will deliver a pioneering, world-class AI Growth Zone. Our pitch to Government aligns with their ‘Plans for Change’. It is bold and credible plan that could transform the economic future of Yorkshire and the Humber.
“Our submission to Government is ambitious and backed by a strong coalition of regional partners. An AI Growth zone in our region will create a pathway to the world’s first carbon-negative data centre, as part of an AI and Clean Energy Campus.”
The bid seeks a ‘growth zone’ on a ready-made site at Drax Power Station, near Selby, to create such facilities, including the carbon capture BECCS facility, potentially creating or safeguarding thousands of jobs in the county.
By backing North Yorkshire’s bid, the campaign says the government would be showing its commitment to the region and helping rural areas bridge the economic gap.
Drax Development Director, Richard Gwilliam, said: “We are proud to support York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s AI Growth Zone bid which provides a pathway to unlocking billions of pounds of growth for the whole region and facilitating the Government’s ambition for the UK to become an AI superpower.
“Securing AI Growth Zone status would enable the creation of an AI and Clean Energy Campus at Drax Power Station, accommodating a potential carbon negative data centre alongside university, R&D and learning and development facilities.
“An AI Growth Zone in the region could create its own innovation ecosystem, foster entrepreneurship, attract major businesses, as well as drawing in more investment and turbocharging our economy.”
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les said: “This is such an exciting opportunity to place York and North Yorkshire at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution and bring thousands of new jobs to the region.
“This will help to diversify and build resilience in our economy in North Yorkshire unlocking billions of pounds in growth while developing a sector which will provide new career opportunities, particularly for our own workforce in the county.
“It provides us with the chance to lead in delivering a first for the world with a carbon-negative data centre, which will also help to build on our commitment to protecting the environment while growing our economy.
“We will work closely with our colleagues at the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority along with Drax and the University of York to help to ensure that the bid to the Government is successful and such a major project becomes a reality.”
Selby MP Keir Mather said: “Selby has a proud history of leading the way in terms of industry – whether it be our shipbuilding industry on the banks of the Ouse, our highly advanced coalfield developed in the later twentieth century, or indeed our ongoing role at the heart of Britain’s domestic energy production.
“The united support this proposal enjoys shows that it’s a project which is ready to hit the ground running. I’m pleased to support it because it creates local jobs, crowds in investment and demonstrates the enormous potential of York and North Yorkshire to play its part in delivering the Government’s growth mission”
University of York Vice-Chancellor, Charlie Jeffery said “This is such an opportunity for York and North Yorkshire to be a beacon for responsible AI innovation.
“It would mean developments in AI can be pursued hand-in-hand with our world-leading research on safety and ethical considerations. We’d attract further investment and talent, all committed to building trustworthy AI systems, and all for the benefit of this region, the UK and beyond”.
An announcement on the AI Growth Zone is anticipated after the Comprehensive Spending Review.