Regional Disparities in AI Readiness – How Does Your Area Compare?
Thursday 24th July 2025
Regional Disparities in AI Readiness – How Does Your Area Compare?
The rapid advance of Artificial Intelligence presents a pivotal moment for the UK. But as Justian Blount, EMBS’s Data and AI Practice Director, reveals, the question isn’t just if AI is transforming industries, but where – and what’s being done to bridge the regional divides in AI readiness across the nation.
While a single, all-encompassing “AI Readiness” report for every UK region remains elusive, various studies offer valuable insights into the current landscape.
A Tale of Two Economies: London vs. The North
It perhaps comes as no surprise that the capital, London, leads the charge in AI adoption. Reports from sources such as ANS, in partnership with YouGov, consistently show a “significant disparity” between London and the North of England. Businesses in London are far more likely to view AI as a strategic imperative. What’s more, they are also already actively integrating it into their operations.
Within the Northern regions, however, a more nuanced picture emerges. The ANS/YouGov study indicates that the North West demonstrates a stronger focus on AI compared to the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. This can largely be attributed to the established tech hub status of cities like Manchester. In tech hubs like Manchester they are already fostering a more conducive environment for AI integration.
Interestingly, the Moneypenny “State of AI Adoption in UK Businesses | 2025 Trends & Insights” report reveals some unexpected leaders in “full adoption” rates. Businesses in Northern Ireland (40%) and the North East of England (39%) are fully embracing AI at some of the highest rates in the country. They are even surpassing Greater London (35%). This suggests that while overall regional readiness may vary, concentrated pockets of high adoption are flourishing.
In contrast, the Moneypenny report notes that regions like the Southeast (20%) and East of England (15%) are taking a “more cautious approach” to full AI adoption. This could be due to a variety of factors, including industry composition or existing business priorities.
The Government’s Response
Recognising these disparities and the overarching importance of AI, the UK government has recently unveiled a comprehensive strategy to enhance the nation’s AI capabilities. It aims to transform Britain into an “AI maker” rather than merely an “AI taker.” This ambitious plan is encapsulated in the new Compute Roadmap.
The Compute Roadmap outlines a clear path to accelerate economic growth. At the same time it aims to revolutionise public services and drive scientific breakthroughs through a significantly expanded national computing infrastructure.
Supercharging National Priorities with Compute Power
A cornerstone of the Compute Roadmap is a substantial upgrade in the UK’s computing power. This is vital for advanced AI. The AI Research Resource (AIRR), featuring the UK’s most powerful supercomputers, Isambard-AI in Bristol and Dawn in Cambridge, is now fully operational. These systems offer immense processing power. This power is projected to increase twentyfold by 2030. This bolsters the UK’s ability to undertake high-impact AI projects. It also reduces reliance on foreign computing infrastructure.
This boosted compute power will target major national priorities. These include improving healthcare (like cancer screening tools), combating climate change, and driving industrial innovation. Projects aligned with the UK’s national interests, such as biosciences and sustainable materials, will receive prioritised access to AIRR.
Building Regional Hubs
To ensure that the benefits of this AI revolution are felt across the entire country, the UK’s expansion will be supported by a new network of National Supercomputing Centres. The first will be established in Edinburgh. These centres will act as regional hubs for AI expertise. They will foster collaboration between universities, businesses, and research institutions, and nurturing local talent development.
Securing UK’s AI Sovereignty
Underpinning these initiatives is the newly established Sovereign AI Unit. The unit is backed by £500 million. This unit will oversee the UK’s efforts to build sovereign AI infrastructure. It will strengthen domestic capabilities, and ensure continued leadership in global AI development. At the same time it will reduce dependence on international compute providers.
The Compute Roadmap, building on over £1 billion of previous investment in compute infrastructure, signifies a concerted effort to leverage AI for national benefit. By enhancing computing capabilities and fostering a supportive ecosystem across all regions, the UK aims to unlock unprecedented breakthroughs in medicine, energy, industry, and public services, solidifying its position as a global leader in AI.
The question now is, how will your region seize these opportunities?
Where to Find More Detailed Information:
ANS/YouGov Survey (via IT Brief UK and techUK)
Moneypenny: “The State of AI Adoption in UK Businesses | 2025 Trends & Insights
