AI industrial park in Irvine ‘could bring £15bn investment’

Irvine has been chosen as the location for a major investment in Artificial Intelligence, which its backers say could reach £15bn and create a “substantial” number of jobs.

The plan for an AI industrial park is being welcomed by North Ayrshire Council, describing it as “hugely significant” and “transformational” for the area’s employment.

It has been set out by AI Pathfinder, a subsidiary of a London-based property development company Salamanca, led by entrepreneur Martin Bellamy.

While it has a limited track record in AI, it intends to build infrastructure for other companies to use, similar to the internet cloud.

AI Pathfinder has another plan for a £1bn investment in Northamptonshire, announced by the UK government this week as part of a vast AI investment programme linked to the state visit by President Donald Trump.

The plan for the i3 industrial park in Irvine is to spend an initial £385m, starting next year.

According to a statement from AI Pathfinder, this is “part of their ambition for the site to become one of the largest AI infrastructure hubs in Europe.

“As part of this long-term vision, AI Pathfinder is looking to invest £15bn at the i3 site in North Ayrshire.”

The media statement adds: “Their investment in the west of Scotland is expected to create substantial employment opportunities, both through the delivery of the site’s construction and in the diverse range of skilled roles that will support its long-term operation.”

Councillor Tony Gurney, North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet member for the economy, said: “This is a hugely significant announcement and we recognise the enormous potential this offers our area, placing it at the vanguard of the AI revolution.

“We stand ready to become Scotland’s leading innovation and industrial investment region, delivering high-value AI at pace.

“The scale of this investment will be transformational for our young people and residents.

“It offers the chance to establish a local skills pipeline across construction, engineering, digital infrastructure, and data centre operations and will deliver major supply chain benefits which will ripple across Ayrshire businesses and beyond.”