ServiceNow, the California-based B2B AI automation platform, has reaffirmed its commitment to the UK market by investing £1.15B over the next five years. This significant pledge, announced at the International Investment Summit, includes plans for expanding its office space, doubling its workforce, and enhancing AI infrastructure to drive local innovation. With this investment, the AI automation platform for business transformation will support the country’s growth and empower organisations with cutting-edge technology.
B2B AI automation platform rides wave of UK investments
In addition to its £1.15B investment, ServiceNow’s commitment aligns with a broader surge of AI-focused investments in the UK, totalling £6.3B from other major tech firms. CoreWeave, a startup specialising in AI infrastructure, is set to contribute £750M, while U.S. data centre operators like CyrusOne and CloudHQ will invest £2.5B and £1.9B, respectively, into UK data centre projects. These investments, which reflect growing demand for AI infrastructure, follow calls from European policymakers for “AI sovereignty,” advocating for data processing and storage within the region.
In an era where AI is rapidly reshaping industries, ServiceNow’s £1.15B investment aims to prepare UK businesses for the future. As AI becomes a crucial part of everyday operations, the company will enhance its data centres in London and Newport, integrating Nvidia GPUs to process large language model (LLM) data locally, which will ultimately deliver AI solutions tailored for the UK market.
ServiceNow’s B2B AI automation boosting UK innovation & reskilling
ServiceNow’s move to invest £1.15B aligns with the UK’s growing demand for AI innovation. As UK businesses increasingly adopt AI-driven technologies, the need for localised infrastructure has become more pressing. For many, the ability to harness the power of AI without relying on overseas data centres is crucial. ServiceNow’s investment in British data centres aims to provide the necessary foundation to meet this demand.
Bill McDermott, ServiceNow’s Chairman and CEO, commented on the company’s role in supporting this technological transformation: “The United Kingdom is embracing technology transformation at scale. In this new age of AI, the country continues to be a global leader in driving innovation for the benefit of all its communities.”
As part of this investment, ServiceNow will also focus on reskilling the UK workforce. Through its ServiceNow University initiative, the company is committed to reaching 240,000 UK learners by 2027, helping them to navigate the complexities of AI and unlock new career opportunities. Currently, nearly 30,000 individuals are already engaged in ServiceNow’s learning programmes, building skills that will be critical for the next phase of the country’s digital transformation.
Investing in local AI infrastructure and data centres
The announcement comes as 85% of UK businesses plan to increase their AI investment in the coming year, according to ServiceNow’s AI Maturity Index, which was conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics. The integration of Nvidia GPUs into ServiceNow’s London and Newport data centres will allow UK businesses to process sensitive data locally, a key benefit for organisations looking to comply with data privacy regulations while capitalising on AI advancements.
Damian Stirrett, Group Vice President and General Manager for ServiceNow in the UK and Ireland, emphasised the importance of this investment: “The extent of ServiceNow’s growth in the UK speaks to the demand for solutions that can simplify the world of work for any employee, in any role, in any industry. The speed of change and innovation is continuing to accelerate.”
A broader impact on society and business transformation
Beyond AI and business growth, ServiceNow is also making strides in supporting the wider community. The company’s commitment to charitable causes is evident in its partnership with organisations like Plan International and the National Trust UK. Additionally, over the next five years, the B2B AI automation platform will donate £1.15M in grants to support local non-profits, further cementing its role as a purpose-driven organisation.
As ServiceNow scales its operations in the UK, its focus on diversity and inclusion continues to be a central tenet of its workplace culture. The company’s recognition as the UK’s top workplace by Great Places to Work 2024, alongside accolades for disability inclusion, reinforces its standing as a leading employer in the country.
With this substantial investment, ServiceNow is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI in the UK, supporting both businesses and communities as they embrace the digital age. As McDermott put it, “Our investment accelerates the UK’s push to put AI to work, empowering people, enriching experiences, and strengthening societal bonds.”
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