Fujitsu pitches in with £22 million to boost UK’s status as technology superpower

To speed up technology and science innovation in the U.K., Japanese multinational giant Fujitsu has geared up to establish its Centre for Cognitive and Advanced Technologies (C-CAT) with an initial investment of £22 million.

With the first projects already underway in North West England, the C-CAT is an important milestone in Fujitsu’s global technology innovation strategy.

The initial £22 million investment will establish the centre to bring together Fujitsu’s activity on a range of emerging technologies including quantum, AI, and digital twin technology. Currently based out of Fujitsu’s Manchester office, the centre will bring in technology from Japan, act as a catalyst for innovation, and focus on finding commercial applications for research.

The company has also partnered earlier with the University of Manchester for its Explainable AI project.

The new development comes after the Free Trade Agreement that was signed in October 2020 between the U.K. and Japan, allowing for more cooperation in the technology and science sectors.

Welcoming the commitment, Lord Grimstone, minister for investment in the U.K. said: “Fujitsu’s decision to invest £22 million to build its new centre in the UK is testament to our business-friendly environment. It will create 200 jobs and support our shared ambition to maintain the our status as a science and technology superpower. It will enhance our work in key areas such as AI and quantum computing for the modern digital and data-driven economy.”

“We recognise the potential of the growing partnership between the U.K. and Japan, and we will look to contribute to this by building the C-CAT as an innovation bridge between the two countries,” said Vivek Mahajan, global CTO of Fujitsu.