Barnsley launches phase one of the National Centre for Digital Technologies

Barnsley's, the UK's first government-backed Tech Town, is launching phase one of its National Centre for Digital Technologies (NCDT).

The NCDT will tackle bespoke challenges through collaboration between industry, academia and the public sector to increase innovation and productivity, drive economic growth, and be a place where people can be bold in testing new ideas within the tech and digital sectors.

It builds on the first phase of The Seam Digital Campus, which is at the heart of the borough’s digital ecosystem, and opened in March 2026 with the Yorkshire Rose sculptures now standing proudly above a newly regenerated public realm as a symbol of Barnsley’s Tech Town status.

The first phase of the NCDT’s activity, revealed exclusively at UKREiiF, will provide two support programmes for local businesses – IgniteAI and MeldAI – which will help them understand and integrate AI into their operations.

IgniteAI is aimed at micro and small businesses and provides a structured 10-week programme to help business owners understand what AI tools are available, where they can be applied within their operations, and how to deploy practical AI-enabled solutions.

Business owners will identify a specific issue they're facing and will work with delivery partners to understand what solutions are available, which ones can be deployed correctly, and develop those solutions before putting them into practical use within their business.

Two cohorts of 15 businesses will go through IgniteAI. The first cohort will start in early June, while the second cohort will start in August.

MeldAI, meanwhile, works with medium and larger businesses, supporting whole leadership teams to understand the strategic and operational potential of AI. Over a six-month period, the programme embeds AI adoption in a practical way, with a strong focus on change management, culture, and real-world application, as well as accredited security focused on AI adoption.

The leadership teams of five businesses will have the opportunity to learn more about how AI can be deployed within their business, what AI is and isn't, and take a Level 3 qualification in AI cybersecurity.

Matt O'Neill, Executive Director for Place, said: "With phase one of The Seam Digital Campus complete, our focus now turns to phase two, with plans to turn the site into an innovation district that will be home to a national asset in the National Centre for Digital Technologies which we want to be a catalyst for growth within our local economy.

"The first wave of activity for the NCDT will include MeldAI and IgniteAI, two programmes which will provide hands-on support for businesses of all sizes in the adoption of AI. This will help us deliver on two of the key missions in our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy by future-proofing businesses in some of our key sectors and helping all our communities to thrive by driving productivity growth.

"This shows that we're not just planning digital capability or talking about it theoretically - we're delivering it now with real examples of applied AI adoption and providing a model which can be scaled up in other areas across the country, turning national ambition into practical delivery as part of our Tech Town status.

"We're looking forward to working with the cohorts in both programmes and wish them well as they embark on this exciting journey."

AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan, said: “AI has the power to transform how businesses operate, unlocking growth, boosting productivity and creating opportunity for communities across the country - but adoption is what matters.

“In Barnsley, businesses will get practical, hands-on support to use AI with confidence so they can see the benefits for themselves.

“Barnsley is paving the way in showing how we can help more businesses put AI to work and make the UK a world leader in AI - something that will be a major focus at our AI Adoption Summit in June.”

Barnsley was announced as the UK's first government-backed Tech Town in February 2026.

Further information about the application process will be shared through the Barnsley Council and Enterprising Barnsley website and social media channels. To express your interest in either programme for your business, please email investment@barnsley.gov.uk.