Mayor heralds ‘major investment and massive show of confidence’ in region as state-of-the-art lab is launched
The Royal Liver Building will be a new UK base for US IT giant Kyndryl (Image: Liverpool Echo)
A major American multinational company has officially launched a new state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratory in one of Liverpool’s most famous buildings.
Today US IT services provider Kyndryl has cut the ribbon on its new offices in the Royal Liver Building, where it is hoped that 1,000 software engineering and AI jobs will be created within the next three years.
In January, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the new AI hub would bring the new jobs to Liverpool, but today is the first time it has been revealed that the iconic Liver Building is where the state-of-the-art new facility will be based.
The office was opened with a special event today attended by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram. The office is already up and running with a team of AI and software engineering specialists and degree apprentices focussed on AI and data science. The ambition is to grow the team to 1,000 in three years.
Having undergone significant renovations to provide new amenities and facilities within the famous waterfront building, Kyndryl employees working from the new AI innovation lab in Liverpool will also be able to enjoy a new coffee shop, showers, a bike park and an on-site gym and fitness studio.
Kyndryl staff based at the new lab will advise businesses in adopting and implementing AI, emerging technologies and software and platform engineering solutions.
The Liverpool facility will include a Kyndryl Vital Studio, led by Kyndryl Consult, which the company says will allow customers to tackle ‘complex and real-world business challenges through designer-led, open collaboration and co-creation.’
As part of the new hub opening, Kyndryl is expanding its partnership with The Very Group, the Liverpool-based operator of digital retailers Very and Littlewoods, through a new multiyear agreement designed to enhance and accelerate the retailer’s end-to-end digital capabilities.
Inside the new Kyndryl AI labs in the Royal Liver Building
Kyndryl will provide software and platform engineering support, helping The Very Group to ‘launch new products at speed and enhance the digital customer experience.’
Speaking as the new office launched today, John Chambers, Kyndryl United Kingdom & Ireland President, said: “We are exceptionally proud to invest in the Liverpool City Region by opening the Kyndryl AI Innovation Lab Liverpool that champions collaboration, creative excellence and digital curiosity. Choosing the Royal Liver Building was a proactive decision to celebrate the city’s rich heritage, while aligning with our sustainability goals of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040.”
“With businesses eager to develop AI capabilities, our new Kyndryl AI Innovation Lab Liverpool represents a significant step in addressing the AI skills gap.”
Mayor Rotheram said: “The Royal Liver Building has stood as a symbol of our region’s ambition and identity for over a century – so it’s fitting that it is to become home to a project that’s looking firmly to the future.”
“Kyndryl’s new AI Innovation Lab is a major investment in our region and a massive show of confidence in the talent we have here. It will bring with up to 1,000 quality jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities for local people – helping to put our residents at the heart of one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.
“I want the Liverpool City Region to be a leader in artificial intelligence – but the kind that makes a difference to people’s lives. AI that’s ethical, inclusive, and used for good. And with the skills, the infrastructure and the political will we’ve built, I believe we’re in the perfect place to make that happen.”