BARNSLEY has launched its first phase of the National Centre for Digital Technologies (NCDT) scheme.

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.

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.

Matt O’Neill, executive director for place for Barnsley Council, said: “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 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.”