How the North East is forging ahead as a European leader in AI

The area, previously known for its coal industry, is now home to tech giants such as Sage and Ubisoft Reflections, alongside thousands of growing digital SMEs. These businesses will soon be joined by Europe's largest AI data centre, which aims to support the UK's future economy. The region is helping businesses understand data and AI, promoting sustainable growth. There is a growing interest among SMEs in unlocking the potential of AI for business benefit. However, experts say fear and doubt, stemming from a lack of understanding, deter many from taking action.

National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) and National Edge AI Hub

The UK National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) and the new National Edge AI Hub, both based in Newcastle, aim to overcome these hurdles. NICD director, Professor Paul Watson, said: "The way in which data and AI can supercharge your business tends to be in three different ways. One is giving insights to the organization by analyzing their current data, so they can make better decisions. The second is to improve productivity by understanding what’s actually going on in their products and services. And the third way is that you can often generate new profitable data-driven products and services which create new streams of income." Professor Rajiv Ranjan, National Edge AI Hub lead, added: "Data is like electricity and AI is like an appliance. Without a reliable power source, the appliance won't function properly. So, without proper data, good quality data, AI cannot function."

Newcastle Helix Innovation District

These organizations are part of Newcastle Helix, an innovation district that also houses SMEs in life sciences, tech, aging, and renewables. The district is home to the Urban Observatory, which has the UK's largest set of publicly available real-time data. The focus of these organizations is on hands-on expertise rather than theoretical discussion. They share data and AI insights with businesses to fuel growth and bring about practical changes. One such company is GRID Smarter Cities, which has developed a data-driven kerbside management system used in Westminster and the US. GRID founder and CEO, Neil Herron, said: "What we've got currently at the kerbside is a first come, first served, free for all. If you're a commercial operator, you're coming at a town circling around, double parking, trying to squeeze into some space, you might get a penalty charge notice, and we're taking that away to make that space available and bookable."

Healthcare Data and AI

The Helix site also houses experts in charge of the world's largest healthcare data set, at the NIHR National Innovation Observatory. Dawn Musgrave, NIHR IO industry partnership lead, said: "AI can be an impact for positive change. If you look at some of the advancements in health tech: using AI to go through patient records and pull out prompts and to synthesize information and patient records. Obviously, that's heavily regulated and scrutinized, but just an example of how AI can make us more productive and efficient."

Future of Data and AI

John Seager, estates director at Newcastle Helix, said: "Newcastle Helix is an Innovation District – we can call ourselves that because we have so many brilliant people and organizations working at the leading edge of understanding the social and commercial capabilities in their fields. One of our particular specialisms here is Data and AI – how will that impact our companies? What are the commercial opportunities? Who should we go to for advice?" To provide further insight into this fast-moving world, the Newcastle Helix team has created a 30-minute documentary on the future of data and AI as a business growth engine.