Author: Fergus O’Donnell
Data is growing faster than ever, transforming industries, research, and everyday life. But it’s not just the volume of data that matters — it’s the value it holds. Every byte contains insights, decisions, and potential, and how we store and protect it determines what we can learn, create, and achieve.
Storage is no longer just a technical challenge; it’s a strategic priority. Systems must keep data safe, secure and accessible. Software alone isn’t enough to protect it or unlock its potential. High-performance infrastructure is essential to ensure that data remains reliable, secure, and ready to power innovation.
Data fuels AI, but hardware sets the limits. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing can only perform as well as the systems supporting them. High-speed storage, reliable processing, and secure infrastructure are critical to handle the massive amounts of information AI relies on.
Related:Ministers welcome £115m investment by Seagate Technology
The most exciting advances in storage are coming from engineering at both the atomic and nanoscale levels. While nanoscale design focuses on structures measured in billionths of a meter, atomic-scale engineering operates at the level of individual atoms, unlocking unprecedented precision.
This approach allows us to store more information in smaller spaces, keep it secure, and ensure it can be accessed instantly when needed. In practice, it means businesses, researchers, and everyday users can turn data into real-world impact — whether that’s smarter business decisions, faster scientific discoveries, or more responsive digital services.
The value of data depends not just on collecting it but on how it is stored, curated, and accessed. Atomic and nanoscale advances ensure that every byte of data, whether powering AI models, cloud services, or enterprise systems, is protected and immediately available.
These developments are not just about technical achievement; they create a foundation for innovation, enabling businesses and researchers to respond in real time to a complex and unpredictable world.
Northern Ireland is playing a leading role in this space. Seagate’s R&D centre in Derry is combining local talent, world-class infrastructure, and cutting-edge research to develop storage solutions that are not only dense and fast but resilient and energy-efficient. This investment highlights how innovation at the atomic scale is central to powering the AI-driven technologies of tomorrow and positions the region as an emerging global hub for next-generation data storage.
Northern Ireland’s contribution extends beyond technology to economic and societal impact. By combining local skills with global reach, the region is demonstrating that world-class innovation is happening right here on our doorstep. Engineers in Derry are solving some of the most challenging problems in storage, while also inspiring the next generation of talent. The facility is a hub for collaboration, connecting research institutions, local universities, and international partners to ensure the North West continues to play a leading role in the global data economy.
Looking ahead, the success of AI and next-generation storage will depend on balancing performance, sustainability, and data protection. Northern Ireland, with its talented workforce, innovative infrastructure, and research expertise, is ideally positioned to shape this future. By combining atomic-scale engineering with a focus on the intrinsic value of data, the region is helping lead a new wave of technological progress. The intersection of hardware innovation and the value of data will define the competitiveness of economies and companies in the decades ahead.
Northern Ireland is proving that world-class innovation doesn’t only happen in Silicon Valley. Here, we are powering the future — byte by byte, atom by atom — and this is only the beginning.
Sync NI's Autumn 2025 magazine explores how Northern Ireland is moving AI from pilot to production
This issue features exclusive insights from industry leaders on real-world AI implementation, responsible adoption, enterprise infrastructure, and how data-driven innovation is transforming businesses across the region.
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