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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£223k refurbishment brings new life to Maesteg’s netball and basketball courts

Major investment in community sport

The refurbishment forms part of the Sport Wales Court Collaboration Project, a scheme launched in 2022 with Wales Netball and Basketball Wales to widen access to sport across Welsh communities.

Funding for the Maesteg project included £167,250 from Sport Wales’ Court Collaboration Fund and £55,750 from Bridgend County Borough Council’s Community Asset Transfer Fund.

Official opening ceremony

The courts were officially reopened on Thursday 25 September, with speeches from John Spanswick, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Jack Sargeant MS and Stephen Kinnock MP.

The ribbon‑cutting was followed by basketball and netball activities led by national governing bodies, with pupils from St Mary’s & St Patrick’s RC Primary School among the first to try out the new facilities.

Council leader welcomes investment

John Spanswick, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, said:

“We are thrilled to have worked in partnership with Sport Wales’ Court Collaboration Scheme and are delighted to announce that the basketball and netball courts at Caedu Park and Maesteg Welfare Park are now available to the community.

It’s brilliant to see that these courts have been given a refurbishment and another boost of investment in the park, having recently opened the neighbouring tennis courts.

I am extremely grateful to the Court Collaboration Scheme for seeing this come to fruition alongside us and I have no doubt that these courts will prove to be popular with adults and children alike in the community.”

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#basketball #BasketballWales #BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil #CaeduPark #CllrJohnSpanswick #CourtCollaborationScheme #JackSargeantMS #Maesteg #MaestegWelfarePark #netball #SportWales #StMarySStPatrickSRCPrimarySchool #StephenKinnockMP #WalesNetball

Swansea’s Zygo Media expands global reach while investing in local talent

The company, based on Swansea’s High Street, has built its reputation by helping online creators reach huge audiences across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X. Its work with gaming personalities such as TimTheTatman, StoneMountain64, and DrLupo has contributed to more than 9 billion views across social media.

Zygo is now applying its content expertise to the business world, producing media for global venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and its Speedrun programme, which focuses on startup culture and innovation. The partnership also includes support for other companies in the investor’s portfolio.

“This gives us the chance to do world-class work from Swansea,” said Stephen Ellis, CEO of Zygo Media. “We’re building a team that can help creators and brands grow their audiences—and we’re doing it with talent from across Wales and the UK.”

Ministerial visit highlights Swansea’s creative potential

Jack Sargeant MS, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, and Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, visited Zygo’s studio this week to hear more about its expansion and its work with local colleges and universities.

Zygo was part of the Creative Wales delegation to the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this year, where Welsh firms showcased their work to international investors and industry leaders.

“Gaming is a fast-growing sector with real potential for Wales,” said Sargeant. “Companies like Zygo show how creative and digital skills developed here can have global impact.”

Cllr Stewart added:

“Zygo Media’s success shows what’s possible when local talent is supported to work at a high level. It’s a great example of Swansea’s creative industries making their mark.”

Building skills and jobs in Swansea

Zygo works with Gower College Swansea and other institutions to support training and recruitment, including Level 4 apprenticeships and creative placements. The company says it’s committed to giving young creatives the chance to work on global campaigns without leaving the region.

Its team includes staff from across Wales and the UK, with roles spanning video editing, content strategy, and audience development.

Zygo’s growth comes as Swansea Council and Creative Wales continue to promote the city as a hub for creative tech, with support for startups, digital skills, and investment in local infrastructure.

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#Business #CllrRobStewart #CreativeWales #Gam #GameDevelopers #gaming #GowerCollegeSwansea #HighStreet #JackSargeantMS #onlineCreators #Swansea #Technology #ZygoMedia

‘Best Documentary’ nomination for young Swansea filmmaker’s personal story of war

Eighteen-year-old Daria Savchenko from Gower College, in Swansea, has been nominated for Best Documentary at the prestigious Into Film Awards 2025, for her deeply personal film Mariupol – a powerful exploration of displacement, resilience, adapting to a new culture, and the human cost of war.

The star-studded, red-carpet ceremony will take place at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London on Tuesday 24 June, hosted by actor, presenter and author, Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE.

Mariupol explores one individual’s personal experience of the war breaking out in Ukraine and the impact it had on their life. It follows their journey as they navigate the challenges of leaving their home, seeking safety, and eventually relocating to the UK. 

On her nomination, Daria said: “I am so excited (and a little nervous) at my nomination. This film is deeply personal – it’s about Mariupol, my home, and what people have gone through. Sharing this story is really important to me. I want audiences to understand the human cost of war. My hope is that the film builds empathy and shows the strength of those forced to start over.”

Speaking about Daria’s success, Tonia Anoniazzi MP for Gower said: “Daria’s documentary Mariupol is a powerful and deeply moving piece of filmmaking and I’m proud to see a young filmmaker from Gower College is being recognised at the Into Film Awards. Tackling such a traumatic and personal subject with compassion and honesty is incredibly brave, and Daria has done it with immense maturity and sensitivity. I want to wish her the best of luck for the awards in June.”

The nomination comes as part of a record-breaking year for young Welsh talent, with Wales receiving seven nominations across 11 categories – the highest number of nominations of any Celtic nation across the UK. 

Commenting on this record-breaking success, Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant, said: “Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent, as can clearly be seen by the record-breaking number of Welsh nominees this year.

“Creative Wales is committed to building on the momentum of productions like Havoc or Mr Burton to secure a bright future for Welsh filmmaking, developing sustainable pathways from school projects to international productions. The exceptional stories these young people are telling today represent the next generation of talent who will continue to build Wales’ growing influence in global creative industries. Pob lwc bawb!”

This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Wales’ film industry, following the recent success of Havoc (the Netflix action thriller starring Tom Hardy and the largest feature film ever shot entirely within Wales) and Mr Burton, produced with financial support from BBC Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, in partnership with Creative Wales.

The diversity of Welsh nominees this year is particularly noteworthy, with young filmmakers from urban to rural communities, representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Animated Voices, created by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Cardiff, explores their personal experiences of life in the UK, while Mariupol offers a powerful perspective on the war in Ukraine through the eyes of a displaced individual. 

Non Stevens, Head of Into Film Cymru, who wants to work more with Creative Wales to support a thriving film ecosystem extended from major international productions to nurturing young grassroots talent, said: “We’re thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices – including Daria – achieve record-breaking recognition at this year’s Into Film Awards. These nominations represent communities across Wales and tell stories that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of our nation. At Into Film Cymru, we believe in creating opportunities for all young people, regardless of background, and these nominations demonstrate the power of inclusive filmmaking. 

“From Penygroes to Cardiff, from animation to documentary, these young creators are telling authentic stories with exceptional creativity and technical skill. The record number of nominations this year not only reflects growing confidence and talent but also shows how film education can inspire the next generation of Welsh storytellers who will build on our current industry success.”

The Awards, sponsored by the UK film industry celebrate young people’s creativity in film, showcasing and highlighting the wealth of tomorrow’s creative talent. Other categories include Best Film – 12 to 15 years (Sponsored by Paramount Pictures); Best Story (Sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios); the Audience Choice Award (Sponsored by Universal Pictures International); and Ones to Watch – (Sponsored by EON Productions).

This year’s Awards received an unprecedented number of film entries from every corner of the UK, with compelling and timely stories for young people including mental health, the war in Ukraine, gender identity, neurodivergence, multiculturism, the potential harms of AI, feeling disconnected and isolated in modern society, nature conservation, immigration and identity, looking after an unwell parent, the need to stop scrolling on social media, and much more.

All nominations showcase the phenomenal breadth and depth of young filmmaking talent across the UK, but particularly in Wales. 

The glitzy afternoon ceremony, which has previously been attended by some of the biggest stars in the industry, including Luke Evans, Rhys Ifans, as well as Daniel Craig, Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Simon Pegg, Martin Freeman and Naomie Harris.    

#awards #Documentary #film #GowerCollegeSwansea #JackSargeantMS #ToniaAntoniazziMP #Ukraine