ARGYLL’S BURGEONING role in developing and delivering world- class Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been given a further multi-million pound boost this week.
New funding for the launch of the programme, based at Toward, has been injected to the sum of £15m.
That has come from a network of interested investors supporting the development led by Peter Griffiths, chair of Argyll Data Development.
And it is the first phase of funding that is set to be stimulated by a second wave worth £100m from European investors in March next year.
Peter Griffiths confirmed to this newspaper the money he is announcing this week is new and comes on top of the £74m partnership with Samba Nova Systems in the United States.
“The agreement in principle is in place and it will be going ahead,” he said.
The Argyll project is being joined in development by the international technology business Lenovo. It said it has one purpose in its business: smarter technology for all.
Peter Griffiths said Argyll Data has also teamed up with the global business Nvidia. Its core function is designing to meet the needs of both the consumer and enterprise customer, with multiple options to help ensure an exceptional experience.
Work is continuing to build the empowering data centre at Toward and it will be linked to another centre Argyll Data Development is creating in Perth.
The project will offer real job opportunities in Dunoon and across Argyll, stretching out over Scotland
to Aberdeen.
At least 30 jobs are coming to Dunoon, which will increase to 150 and help to enable up to 2,000 positions across the country.
“We are Scotland-first,” said Mr Griffiths. “Our focus is to build and develop here and to create real opportunities on land and in our marine development of AI infrastructure.”
Up to 100 other jobs are being created on the Mull of Kintyre where advanced manufacturing will feed into deploying marine technology.
Mr Griffiths is “unimpressed” by the slow pace of the UK Government’s delivery of AI Growth Zones. He said he would welcome its funding in Argyll, but he will continue to invest and grow without it.
He contrasted his dealings with the Scottish Government as being much more supportive and encouraging.
“They are very across developing other forms of energy and have been extremely helpful and focused on understanding what we’re aiming to deliver.”
