Amazon Web Services Plans $10 Billion Investment in UK Data Centers

Amazon Web Services (AWS) recently announced a significant investment of $10 billion over the next five years to expand its data center presence in the U.K. This investment will result in the creation of over 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs annually, spanning various sectors such as construction, maintenance, engineering, and more, contributing to the local economy. Tanuja Randery, vice president of AWS for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, emphasized the importance of supporting the U.K.'s digital transformation by investing £8 billion in digital and AI infrastructure.

With this latest announcement, AWS has now invested over $14 billion in the U.K., serving prominent customers like AstraZeneca, Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Monzo. The U.K. government officials, including Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, hailed this investment as a positive step towards the country's economic revival and the strengthening of the digital economy. AWS highlighted the potential for substantial economic growth if more businesses in the U.K. adopt cloud computing and AI technologies, estimating an additional $50 billion value to the economy over the next five years.

However, Amazon stressed the need for investment in digital skills and support to help businesses leverage these technologies effectively. A study conducted by Gallup for AWS revealed a significant gap in digital skills in the U.K., with 72% of businesses having vacancies for workers with digital skills, while only 11% of the workforce possesses advanced digital expertise. In response, AWS has committed to providing free AI skills training to 2 million individuals of all ages by 2025, aiming to unleash the full potential of AI technology across various sectors.