Event round-up: Building Critical Infrastructure and Advancing AI
Last Tuesday (24 June), techUK hosted its Building Critical Infrastructure and Advancing AI roundtable at the Bayes Centre in Edinburgh, in partnership with The Data Lab.
Chaired by Matt Evans, COO and Director of Market Programmes at techUK, the roundtable brought together government, techUK members and other sector stakeholders to discuss the infrastructure and investment required to advance AI, with a particular focus on data centres.
The event was opened by Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Business and Employment at the Scottish Government, who began by noting that Scotland - and Edinburgh in particular - is a leader in AI. The Minister emphasised his own commitment to ensuring the country is part of the tech revolution and acknowledged that data centres will be key to this moving forward. Opportunities to grow Scotland’s data centres industry must be seized in order to support many of the high growth businesses that are data dependent.
While issues around grid connections and AI growth zone policies are reserved, the Minister was keen to explore how stakeholders in Scotland could work together to drive forward the AI and data centre agendas using the powers, skills and expertise that it already has.
Key points from the discussion which followed are below.
Understanding the demand for data centres
Data centre providers are currently seeing least growth from ‘traditional’ users of their facilities - such as regional businesses clustered in postcodes near the data centres – and are instead seeing interest from tech companies who are ringfencing data centre space to help build their business models. Given challenges around sustainability and power consumption, many organisations are looking to move away from on-prem and into data centres.
Articulating the benefits
Throughout the discussion, it was clear that Scotland needs to better articulate the benefits of data centres. Further data centre capacity and capability are essential if it is to unlock the tech-led growth fuelled by AI advancements and add capacity for further growth. AI advancements have the potential to significantly improve public services - in areas such as health or transport - and efficiency and productivity within the private sector so the case for AI is intertwined with data centre capacity in the UK.
Showcasing positive use cases and demonstrating how the benefits of data centres filter down to local communities will help inform the general public’s understanding of data centres. It will also aid organisations involved in the decisions about where data centres are located, such as local authorities, environmental agencies and other stakeholders.
One of the examples highlighted was that of a techUK member, that uses the heat generated from its data centre to heat a public swimming pool. Others related to organisations that were using data centres to develop AI solutions which could monitor air quality and improve safe, integrated travel in cities.
techUK will be compiling further examples of use cases to disseminate to relevant stakeholders. This will include the new Scottish Tech Council, which is made up of academic and business experts, such as techUK President, Sheila Flavell CBE.
Data from techUK’s Foundations for the future: How data centres can boost UK economic growthreport was also referenced during the roundtable. The report, which was published in November 2024, found that, on an annual basis, data centres contribute £4.7 billion in GVA to the UK economy and 43,500 jobs in the UK economy. Additional capacity could significantly increase these figures and this doesn’t include the jobs in companies and the wider digital economy that are supported by their commercial relationship with data centres.
Making Scotland a destination for data centres
80% of data centres are located within Greater London, and for international organisations looking to locate or use data centre facilities in the UK, the proximity to Heathrow airport and the required workforce is a key factor.
Yet Scotland has many advantages, some of which are listed below, which make it an alternative attractive destination:
A strong renewable energy sector.
Lower operating costs.
A reputation as a leader in AI.
Some participants stated that the adoption of regional energy pricing, also known as zonal pricing, could lead to a further competitive advantage for Scotland.
What needs to happen next?
While the roundtable discussion was wide ranging, there was general consensus that Scotland needs to:
Urgently improve its digital connectivity - including within rural and remote areas - and grid infrastructure.
Emphasise and further explain the value of data centres to businesses, the economy and society.
Connect its data, which too often sits in silos making it harder to utilise effectively.
Ensure procurement is placed at the heart of discussions and policies relating to public service reform, innovation strategies and the Industrial Strategy.
Such actions will help Scotland to keep pace with technology advancements and strengthen its data centres industry.
For enquiries relating to this roundtable discussion, please contact [email protected]
To find out more about techUK’s wider Data Centres Programme, please contact [email protected]. The team will be publishing a report on data centre water usage later in the year so please do keep up-to-date on their webpage here.
The Data Lab
The Data Lab is Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI. The Data Lab was founded in 2014 as part of Scotland’s Innovation Centres programme. Their purpose is to change lives and make Scotland a more productive economy and a sustainable society by transforming how we use data. They foster innovation through collaboration, build skills and grow talent, and they champion Scotland’s data science community; funding 1,000 graduate students, generating £319 million anticipated increase in business turnover, and over 1350 jobs to date. The Data Lab want Scotland to become a global leader in applying data and AI innovation and skills development that benefits our economy and society.
For more information, explore The Data Lab’s Impact Report and become a part of The Data Lab Community. You can find out more about their Data and AI Skills Framework which provides guidance for individuals, teams and organisations on the key competencies needed to thrive in the data and AI driven economy. Please get in touch with The Data Lab by emailing: [email protected]
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Luisa C. Cardani is the Head of the Data Centres Programme at techUK, aiming to provide a collective voice for UK operators and working with government to improve business environment for the data centres sector.
Prior to joining techUK, Luisa worked in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as the Head of International Data Protection, where she led on the development of elements of the UK's data protection and privacy policy. In her role, she was also the UK official representative for the EOCD Privacy Guidelines Informal Advisory Group.
She has held a number of position in government, including leading on cross-cutting data provisions in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and in high priority cross-departmental projects when working in the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
She holds an M.Sc. from University College London's Department of Political Sciences.
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
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techUK’s Scottish Parliamentary Reception, 28 October
This reception will provide attendees, including MSPS, with an insight into techUK’s upcoming work, and the opportunity to discuss how the tech sector can grow in Scotland. Places are limited and we are currently operating a waiting list.
UK DES25 will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the role of digital innovation in driving economic growth, business competitiveness, and global talent development. As part of UK DES25, techUK will release the latest data from the Local Digital Index, showing the strength of different local tech ecosystems across the UK
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
