​Digital Infrastructure North 2026 (DIN26) is a discussion-led forum - not a commercial conference. It will bring together around 100–120 senior participants from government, infrastructure operators, technology companies and research organisations — primarily by invitation — to help shape the next phase of the UK's digital infrastructure development, focusing on the special opportunities and challenges in the North.

​About the summit

​Why this matters now

​The UK is entering a critical phase in the development of digital infrastructure. Demand for compute capacity is growing rapidly as large language models and other data-intensive technologies become central to the digital economy.

​Yet the UK's infrastructure remains heavily concentrated in London and the South East, where power is increasingly constrained, while renewable energy generation in the North is frequently curtailed because it cannot easily reach where demand is concentrated.

​At the same time, northern cities such as Manchester host major research communities, thriving digital industries and rapidly growing AI and innovation ecosystems. Supporting this growth will require significant new infrastructure investment across the North.

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Agenda at a Glance

​Registration and Coffee - 9:15 AM

​Welcome & Opening Remarks - 9:45 AM

​Keynote - 09:55 AM

​Building Shared Infrastructure - 10:15 AM

​Scene-setting presentation

​Case studies

​Panel discussion and audience Q&A

​Coffee break - 11:30 AM

​Compute – Sovereignty, Resilience & Sustainability - 11:45 am

​Framing presentation

​Industry perspectives

​Panel discussion and audience Q&A

​Working together - 13:00

​Lunch & Networking - 13:10

​Infrastructure for Growth & Public Services - 14:10

​Framing presentation

​Case examples

​Panel discussion and audience Q&A

​Tea Break - 15:25

​Future Directions - 15:45

​Closing Remarks - 16:25

​Drinks and networking - 16:30

​Event close - 17:30