AI Opportunities Action Plan: A Bold Vision for the UK – And Why Wales Should Be Excited

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We welcome the Prime Minister’s AI Opportunities Action Plan as a bold step towards positioning the UK as a global leader in AI. 

While London is the UK’s leading hub, Wales stands uniquely positioned to turn the Action Plan into reality. Our blend of industrial strength, technological clusters, and devolved powers gives Wales an opportunity to lead. The question isn’t whether Wales will participate in the UK’s AI future. It’s how.

The Big Picture

The UK Government’s new AI Opportunities Action Plan is an actionable roadmap to make the UK a global AI powerhouse. With £14 billion in investments and over 13,000 jobs on the horizon, this initiative promises transformative change. This plan, including AI Growth Zones, a cutting-edge supercomputer and the creation of a National Data Library, aims to supercharge innovation and improve the way we all live, work, and play. Vantage Data Centers has already committed to invest £12 billion across the UK and create over 11,500 jobs, including building one of Europe’s largest data centre campuses in Wales.

What’s New About the Action Plan?

While previous government initiatives focused on laying the groundwork for AI growth through funding research and innovation hubs, the AI Opportunities Action Plan focuses on the next steps. 

Key new elements include the establishment of AI Growth Zones, designed to streamline planning for datacentres and integrate clean energy access, and the National Data Library, which will centralise high-impact datasets for public and private use. The Action Plan also commits to a 20x increase in computing power with a new national supercomputer, addressing a critical bottleneck for AI development. 

Unlike earlier strategies, this plan emphasises tangible applications of AI, like improving public services (e.g. healthcare and infrastructure) and directly supporting SMEs with funding and expertise to adopt AI. It’s not just about vision anymore; it’s about action, with clear steps to position the UK at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Why Wales is a Star Player

Wales is already a key player in the UK’s AI landscape, with the landmark commitment from Vantage Data Centers to build one of Europe’s largest data centre campuses in Wales on the former Ford factory in Bridgend.

This is just the beginning. Wales has a unique combination of strengths, bringing together devolved governance with world-class industries, technologies, and vast data resources.  

Now is the time to seize the moment. Wales’ true competitive advantage is in its ability to connect and collaborate across sectors and industries, creating an integrated tech ecosystem that’s hard to replicate. The secret is people. Together, we must ensure that Wales continues to develop its skills base and that our universities are central to the growth of the AI sector. By embracing the ingenuity of people with the power of technologies, we can transform Wales from a proud industrial powerhouse into a global AI leader.

Wales’ Strengths

  • World-Class Compound Semiconductor Technology: AI requires immense computational power and wouldn’t be possible without advanced AI chips and hardware. Wales is already world-leading in its compound semiconductor capabilities and is home to the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster and the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult.
  • Cyber Security & Digital Resilience: Sensitive information requires robust security. In order to make real impact, AI has to be developed and used with cyber security in mind. Wales is a hotbed for key organisations within the UK’s cyber ecosystem, including NCSC recognised universities such as Cardiff University and the University of South Wales, the testbeds and training available at the Cyber Innovation Hub, the Thales Ebbw Vale National Digital Exploitation Centre, and a huge wealth of expertise across the Cyber Wales clusters, with the Severn Valley Cyber Launchpad also spanning both sides of the Welsh-English border.
  • Green Energy Potential & Power Electronics: Data centres and training large AI models often require enormous amounts of power. Wales is world leading in its commitment to green energy and sustainability, with the R&D capability in power electronics and public policy to back it up. Projects like tidal estuaries, offshore wind farms, the establishment of Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, the modernisation of Aberthaw Power Station, another £10 million for green energy projects, and several sites exploring the use of carbon-neutral small modular reactors (SMRs) could provide the clean power AI systems demand.
  • Top-Tier Connectivity: Applications and the organisations using them need fast, reliable, near-instant networks. As well as UK-wide infrastructure, Wales has indigenous providers like Ogi and TfW Ffeiber who are well-placed to support fast, reliable networks for the AI revolution.
  • The Biggest Pool of Public Data in the UK: AI thrives on data. Much of the UK’s national institutions are based in Wales, such as the DVLA, ONS, and Companies House, plus the devolved NHS Wales and Transport for Wales. In combination, these organisations hold immeasurably valuable datasets that could drive innovation in health, transport, and beyond.
  • Photonics: Next-gen AI hardware won’t be possible without photonics. North Wales hosts cutting-edge expertise in photonics, such as the OpTIC Technology Centre and the DSP Centre, contributing to advancements in optical communication and laser technologies, essential to connectivity, healthcare, defence, energy, high-value manufacturing, and quantum computing.
  • Blockchain: Wales has already proven its ability to embrace emerging technologies, with blockchain case studies spanning every major industry in the nation. Recent examples include blockchain-enabled transport safety through Amey and Transport for Wales, as well as the IMI Wales initiative in Mid Wales to enhance tourism. Plus, blockchain and AI technologies can be combined.
  • Connection & Collaboration: The size and shape of the Welsh tech ecosystem drives a strong culture of networking and collaboration – across clusters, sectors, and industries. Leading in AI requires cross-disciplinary expertise and cooperation, and Wales has the ideal environment.

Data First: The Key to AI Readiness

“Data First isn’t just a principle; it’s the cornerstone of AI readiness and Wales’ path to leadership in this transformative era. With institutions like the DVLA, ONS, and NHS Wales holding some of the most valuable datasets in the UK, we have a unique opportunity to drive innovation by leveraging this wealth of information responsibly and effectively. By prioritising clean, accessible, and secure data practices, Wales can not only attract AI-driven industries but also set a benchmark for how data fuels growth across sectors like healthcare, transport, and energy. This is our chance to demonstrate that when data comes first, innovation follows—and Wales is ready to lead the way.” – Natalie Jakomis, Director of Data & Analytics, Rightmove

AI is only as effective as the data it’s built on, making robust, high-quality data a non-negotiable for companies looking to adopt AI. 

For companies in Wales and beyond, being AI-ready starts with investing in good data practices—ensuring data is clean, well-structured, and accessible. Without this foundation, even the best AI tools will fall short of their potential.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan’s focus on creating a National Data Library highlights this priority, providing businesses with access to essential datasets to fuel innovation. 

Even outside of the scope of the National Data Library, organisations working together on quality datasets is another opportunity to drive innovation and build stronger AI solutions.

What’s in It for Tech Companies?

For tech companies, this is your moment. The Action Plan creates fertile ground for startups and established players to thrive:

  • Funding Boosts: Access government-backed funding to scale AI-driven solutions.
  • Streamlined Development: AI Growth Zones offer faster planning permissions and clean energy access, making it easier to set up data centres and innovation hubs.
  • Global Talent Pool: Easier visa policies and a “headhunting unit” for elite talent mean you can hire the best, no matter where they’re from.
  • AI in Action: The government is pushing for real-world AI deployments in sectors like healthcare and infrastructure, opening doors for B2G (business-to-government) collaborations.

Not in Tech? 

AI isn’t just for techies—it’s a tool every business can use to grow and adapt. Here’s how non-tech businesses can take advantage:

  • Automate Mundane Tasks: Save time and money by automating repetitive processes like data entry or customer service to better focus resources on creative and specialist problem-solving.
  • Smarter Decisions: AI tools can analyse your data to reveal trends, predict outcomes, and help you stay ahead of the curve.
  • Upskilling Your Team: With the Action Plan’s focus on AI education, now is the time to equip your workforce with skills to adopt and use AI tools.
  • Customised Support: SMEs will receive help to integrate AI into their business processes, levelling the playing field for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Global Context: Insights from the Future of Jobs Report 2025

The AI Opportunities Action Plan arrives at a pivotal moment, aligning with key findings from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025. 

The report highlights that while AI adoption is expected to disrupt traditional roles, it will also create a surge in demand for new skills and job categories, particularly in data analytics, AI development, and tech integration. 

By 2025, roles requiring AI expertise are predicted to grow by 30%, making AI skills critical for future-proofing the workforce. This underscores the urgency of the Action Plan’s focus on upskilling, with initiatives like AI apprenticeships, postgraduate degrees, and scholarships designed to meet this demand. 

For Wales, this global context reinforces the need to position itself as a leader in AI education and innovation, ensuring that its workforce and businesses remain competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.

Critical Actions for Wales’ Future

Just as Wales once powered the industrial revolution, it now stands ready to fuel the AI revolution. But ambition alone won’t secure Wales’ position. 

While the Action Plan is a starting point, Wales does not have a set role. Yet. 

These are three critical actions to secure Wales’ AI future:

• Upskilling the Workforce: We need a clear plan to collaborate with universities and local businesses to ensure a steady pipeline of AI-ready talent. Imagine a future for Wales where every graduate is AI-fluent, teams are working alongside AI and robotics, and the next generation don’t leave for opportunities – but create them here in Wales.

• Leveraging Public Data: Wales should push for clear guidelines to unlock the full potential of public datasets. The right data infrastructure is needed to provide secure, legal, and privacy-sensitive access while unleashing innovation.

• Energy Investments: Clean, affordable energy is critical. Projects like the tidal lagoon should be revisited to meet AI’s immense power needs sustainably, both to attract and retain tech companies and to protect the natural beauty of Wales.

With the right investments and partnerships, Wales could also host its own AI Growth Zone, positioning itself as a testing ground for cutting-edge solutions.

“We see how Wales’ collaborative tech ecosystem and commitment to innovation creates an ideal environment for advancing emotional AI. The Action Plan’s focus on data readiness and global insights aligns perfectly with our work in bringing research-backed emotion analysis to businesses in Wales and beyond.” – Jonathan Prescott, CEO, Cavefish

Final Thoughts

The AI Opportunities Action Plan lays out a framework through which Wales can play a significant part in the global AI revolution. Whether you’re a tech innovator or a business looking to adopt AI, the time to act is now.

The question isn’t whether these changes will happen, but whether Wales will lead them. Our industrial heritage taught us that transformation requires both vision and action. 

The vision is clear. Wales can turn this opportunity into lasting success. Let’s seize the moment and make Wales a true AI leader.

What’s your take? How can Wales make the most of this plan? Share your thoughts and let’s keep building momentum!

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Technology Connected Data & AI is the dedicated network for the data and AI community in Wales, created by and sitting within the Technology Connected organisation to represent and unite the data and AI community. We are spotlighting Wales as a centre of expertise and opportunity for enabling and emerging data and AI technologies, showcasing their applications for today’s business and society.

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