Port Talbot crowned Wales’ AI capital as £2.1m boost aims to supercharge Welsh businesses

Efficiency analysts at Ailsa say Port Talbot residents are now searching for AI terms more than anywhere else in the country, with monthly queries soaring from around 36,880 in 2024 to more than 227,000 in 2025. That’s a staggering 516% surge.

Maesteg came second with a 429% rise, followed by Llanelli, Wrexham and Carmarthen. Swansea, Neath and Bridgend saw smaller increases but still recorded sharp growth as AI interest swept across Wales.

Ailsa says Wales has seen the biggest rise in AI searches of any UK nation, jumping 310% year‑on‑year.

AI search growth across Wales

Source: Ailsa efficiency analysis of AI‑related search terms, 2024–2025.

‘Every prompt has a carbon footprint’

Kane Taylor, energy efficiency expert at Ailsa, said the boom in AI use was exciting but warned that the environmental impact of constant prompting was being overlooked.

Kane Taylor said:

“AI is an incredible tool, but every query, every prompt and every reply comes with an environmental footprint we can’t ignore.”

He said AI queries can use up to ten times more energy than a standard browser search, adding that even typing “thank you” to a chatbot triggers another energy‑hungry response.

Taylor said the industry should look at limiting repeated queries and reusing highly rated answers to cut unnecessary processing.

£2.1m to help Welsh firms embrace AI

The surge in public interest comes as the Welsh Government announces £2.1m to help small and medium‑sized businesses adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

Ministers say the funding will help firms boost productivity, improve digital skills and stay competitive as artificial intelligence becomes central to modern business.

Business Wales will receive £600,000 to run an AI awareness and adoption programme, while £500,000 will support tourism and events companies through a new AI Pollination Project with the Hartree Centre Cardiff Hub and Cardiff University’s Digital Transformation Innovation Institute.

Workshops will offer up to 1,000 tourism businesses hands‑on AI training for digital marketing and content creation.

A further £1m will expand the Flexible Skills Programme, allowing employers to access AI training at just 25% of the usual cost.

Swansea firm already using AI to power global growth

One Swansea business is already proving how powerful AI can be when it’s put to work on the shop floor.

Something Different Wholesale — a giftware company with a turnover of £11 million, 75 staff and more than 12,000 active B2B customers worldwide — has woven artificial intelligence into almost every corner of its operation. The firm uses AI to crunch huge amounts of product and market data, helping it spot trends earlier and make smarter decisions about what customers want.

The company says AI is also taking over time‑consuming admin tasks, freeing staff to focus on creative and specialist work that adds more value. Customer service is being enhanced too, with AI helping the team respond faster and more accurately to enquiries from across the globe.

The Swansea‑based business is now preparing to launch a new international website, using AI to automatically translate its pages into multiple languages so it can reach customers in new markets without the usual delays or costs.

Founder Jane Wallace‑Jones said the technology is moving so quickly that many small businesses risk being left behind unless they get support to adopt it.

Jane Wallace‑Jones said:

“Artificial intelligence is advancing at a rapid pace and businesses that successfully adopt AI and integrate it into their processes will gain a significant competitive advantage.

“Many SMEs lack the in‑house expertise needed to utilise the latest technologies effectively. This Welsh Government funding presents a valuable opportunity for Welsh businesses like ours to access high‑quality AI training and improve productivity.”

She said the investment would help boost innovation, growth and future employment opportunities across Wales.

‘AI is transforming the business sector’

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said the investment would help Welsh businesses prepare for the future.

Rebecca Evans said:

“AI is transforming the business sector, improving productivity and driving change. This programme will help SMEs across Wales optimise the potential of emerging AI technologies in responsible and ambitious ways.”

Skills Minister Jack Sargeant said the funding would help bridge digital skills gaps and support inclusive growth across Wales.

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Sauna start-up steams ahead in Porthcawl with Business Wales support

A Welsh-born entrepreneur has turned a personal journey of recovery into a thriving wellness business, bringing the restorative power of Scandinavian-style saunas to the shores of Porthcawl and Rest Bay.

William Jenkins, raised in the Netherlands and formerly working in the fintech sector, launched Hikitalo Sauna in late 2024 after discovering the mental and physical benefits of heat therapy. The business now operates two handcrafted, wood-fired sauna cabins on the Welsh coast and was recently named ‘Best Waterside Sauna 2025’ by the British Sauna Society.

“This isn’t just about creating a place to relax,” said Jenkins. “It’s about building community and offering people a space where they can come together, disconnect from the stress of daily life, and focus on their well-being.”

From burnout to business

Jenkins’ journey began after a period of burnout, which led him to explore sauna cultures across Europe and Latin America. Inspired by the communal and healing aspects of sauna life, he returned to Wales with a vision to create a “third space” for connection and recovery.

With guidance from Business Wales adviser Victoria Owens, Jenkins secured a loan from the Development Bank of Wales to build a sustainable sauna facility powered by solar lighting and locally sourced firewood. Business Wales also provided training, webinars, and support to help him adopt Green Growth and Equality pledges, aligning the business with environmental best practices.

“William’s passion shone through from the first time we spoke,” said Owens. “He’s built something truly unique that’s helping people live healthier, more connected lives.”

A growing community

Hikitalo now offers both private and communal sauna sessions, with panoramic sea views and cold plunge options that promote relaxation, detoxification, and social connection. The business employs seven people and has become a hub for cold water dippers, surfers, and wellness seekers.

Monthly events include open talking spaces to support mental health, and regulars have formed WhatsApp groups to meet for walks, dips, and coffee outside of sauna sessions.

Jenkins, who previously appeared on Dragon’s Den with an earlier venture, says the success of Hikitalo is rooted in its ability to foster genuine human connection.

“In countries like Finland and Germany, the sauna is a true ‘third space’—not home, not work, but somewhere in between. I think we’re bringing that culture back to Wales.”

With continued support from Business Wales, Jenkins plans to expand Hikitalo further across the Welsh coast, making Nordic wellness traditions more accessible to communities across the region.

#Business #BusinessWales #DevelopmentBankOfWales #DragonSDen #Hikitalo #leisure #Porthcawl #RestBay #Sauna

Homeless Swansea artist finds his spark thanks to Business Wales

With support from Business Wales, Declan Stuart, 33, from Townhill, launched Unleashed Creations from his in-home studio. The artist specialises in pyrography, a freehand technique that sees creators burn detailed illustrations and portraits into wood. 

Declan discovered pyrography while he was experiencing homelessness in 2022, and receiving support from the homeless charity, Crisis. After supporting him to find suitable accommodation, the charity suggested art classes could be a helpful outlet.   

Immediately taking to the artform, Declan discovered that pyrography could be more than a creative pursuit. He began exploring options to source commissioned work and ways to share the techniques he’d mastered.

Working with Business Wales, Declan explored options to create and market a series of classes that would allow him to teach customers to create their own pieces.

With support from Business Wales Adviser, Shahidul Islam, plans for Unleashed Creations started to take shape. Online seminars and courses allowed Declan to build skills in accounting, business management, promotion and marketing. Shahidul was also able to suggest potential sources of seed funding to facilitate Unleashed Creations’ launch.

Speaking on the support received, Declan said: 

“Art became a lifeline after personal challenges had left me in a difficult position mentally and financially from being homeless. I never expected it to become my profession, but after I sold a few pieces, it seemed like a natural progression.   

“I knew that getting Unleashed Creations up and running would take more than talent and passion, and Shahidul has been so helpful in directing me to courses that helped me bridge the gaps in my business knowledge.”

Shahidul helped Declan secure a Barriers to Start Up grant. This, combined with a Changing Lives grant he received from the charity Crisis, enabled an investment in tools that would allow him to run pyrography workshops.

Declan set up a website for customers to view his portfolio and social media channels to promote his services and host regular livestreams to his followers. The pyrographer has since hosted four workshops, created 15 original pieces for customers, and is completing a large project with the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.

Business Wales Adviser Shahidul says: 

“Declan was so motivated to build a community space for people to create which is why I think Unleashed Creation has had such a positive reception in Swansea.

“His eagerness to build on his knowledge and continue to improve will no doubt help his pyrography business become a cornerstone of the Swansea community.”

Business Wales is funded by Welsh Government. For more information and support to help your business discover opportunities, and to speak to a specialist adviser, contact Business Wales. Visit www.businesswales.gov.wales/ or call 03000 6 03000. Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg – we welcome calls in Welsh.

#BusinessWales #homelessness #TheArtSpace #Townhill #UnleashedCreations