Slough: Powering the UK’s Tech Future

Home to more than 30 data centres, Slough is at the front of the queue when it comes to investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computing. This is particularly exciting when considering the recent deal announced by Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer regarding bringing £150 billion of investment into the country, via the new tech prosperity deal.

Although it has not been decided just how much of this tech deal funding will head Thames Valley's way, experts say the region is primed for this type of investment, with data centres needed to support the growing demand for AI development and high-performance computing. With AI applications requiring vast amounts of processing power and data storage, Slough’s existing infrastructure and strategic location make it a natural hub for powering the next generation of technological innovation.

Investment in the Future

The government's AI Opportunities Action Plan has already allocated £14 billion in a strategy aimed at maintaining the UK's leadership in AI innovation. A key growth component is the expansion of hyperscale data centres, vast computing hubs essential for managing the increasing AI workloads.

Slough continues to play a critical role in this national ambition, with Yondr Group recently launching the first 10MW phase of its second data centre at its London campus in Slough. Once fully operational, the new facility will deliver 30MW of capacity, featuring solar PV panels on the roof and a green wall on the southern façade, a tangible demonstration of how sustainability and technology can go hand in hand.

With other major operators such as CyrusOne, NTT, Equinix, Iron Mountain, Kao, and Digital Realty expanding in the area, Slough now stands as one of the most significant data centre clusters in the UK. This growing digital infrastructure provides the ideal foundation for future AI, robotics, and automation innovation, cementing Slough’s role at the forefront of the country’s tech-driven, sustainable growth.

A Fertile Testing Ground

Slough is uniquely placed to act as a live testing ground for cutting-edge construction technologies. The application of AI, robotics, and automation in the built environment is already transforming how buildings and infrastructure are designed, constructed, and maintained:

• Smart Construction Sites: Robotics and AI-driven project management can improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase safety on construction sites.

• Infrastructure Monitoring: AI-powered systems can predict maintenance needs, reduce downtime, and extend the life of assets.

• Retrofit and Net-Zero Programmes: Automation and AI enable faster, cost-effective retrofitting, helping developers and councils achieve ambitious sustainability targets.

“Slough has long been at the forefront of adopting new technologies, and our ambition is to show how AI and robotics can transform the built environment,” says Pat Hayes, Executive Director of Housing, Property, and Regeneration at Slough Borough Council. “By providing a live environment to test and scale solutions, we’re helping construction and infrastructure companies meet sustainability goals faster, more efficiently, and with lower risk.”

Why Slough Appeals to Investors

For venture capital funds and construction tech companies, Slough presents a rare combination of opportunity and infrastructure:

• Proximity to London: Easy access to talent, clients, and partners, sitting next to the M25 and just ten miles from Heathrow Airport.  .

• Established Data Infrastructure: Over 30 data centres ensure sufficient capacity for AI, robotics, and proptech solutions.

• Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem: A strong network of developers, tech firms, and local authorities eager to pilot new solutions.

• Sustainability Focus: Support for net-zero delivery provides a competitive advantage for forward-thinking company

• Proven record: Slough has arguably the best fibre optic broadband infrastructure in the UK.

Bringing in Talent and Prosperity

Data centres are at the very heart of modern life, powering everything from cloud services to AI applications. At SEGRO, which operates Slough Trading Estate, Europe’s largest single ownership business park, the team recognises the pivotal role these facilities play in the digital economy. They are not just infrastructure; they are engines for growth, creating jobs in construction and, once operational, high-value roles for specialists such as software developers, mechanical engineers, and data centre managers.

While it will take time to determine how the UK government’s announced £150 billion tech prosperity deal will be distributed, some major investments are already taking shape. This includes Microsoft, which has its UK headquarters in Reading. It has unveiled a £22 billion investment package, its largest ever outside the US, demonstrating the scale of opportunity for AI, data, and digital innovation in the region. (https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/09/16/microsoft-30-billion-uk-ai-future/)

Collaborating for InnovationSlough Borough Council welcomes partnerships with construction technology firms, investors, and developers seeking to pilot new AI, robotics, and automation solutions in a real-world environment. Through collaboration with local infrastructure providers and major construction partners, the Council is creating a supportive framework to test, refine, and scale next-generation technologies across live projects.