London-based AI firm creates more than 100 jobs in Belfast

Napier AI, a London-based artificial intelligence company, is making a significant move by opening a new office in Belfast, which will create over 100 new jobs. This announcement was made on Tuesday by the company's chief executive, Greg Watson, alongside Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald and Invest NI chief executive Kieran Donoghue. The three leaders posed for a photo holding a large white sign that read 'Napier AI'. Mr. Watson was dressed in a navy quarter-zip jumper, while Ms. Archibald wore a stylish burgundy coat, and Mr. Donoghue sported a navy coat with a striped scarf. Napier AI specializes in providing advanced technology that assists banks and financial institutions in identifying and preventing criminal activities, particularly money laundering. Founded in 2015, the company currently employs 250 people and has recently moved into its new office located at Pearl Assurance in the heart of the city. Out of the 106 new positions being created, 25 have already been filled, with the remaining roles expected to be filled by 2027. The average salary for these new jobs is over £46,000, and once all positions are filled, Napier AI anticipates contributing nearly £5 million in additional salaries to the Northern Ireland economy. Greg Watson, the chief executive of Napier AI, emphasized the company's mission to combat what he refers to as a 'blight in society' – money laundering. He pointed out that an astonishing 3. 2 trillion dollars is laundered each year, and the company aims to leverage automation and AI to address this issue. Mr. Watson also highlighted that the decision to expand into Northern Ireland was influenced by the region's talent pool. He explained that the company conducted a thorough global search for potential locations, considering cities like Warsaw, Porto, and Lisbon. Ultimately, they were drawn to Belfast due to the impressive talent available, as well as the benefits of the location, language, and overall environment. Mr. Watson expressed excitement about establishing a presence in Belfast, stating that the new roles will include high-level research and development positions that require advanced skills in AI and software development. He believes that the talent emerging from local universities and the surrounding area is exceptional, and he is optimistic about the company's future in Northern Ireland. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald remarked that the new jobs would be particularly attractive to young people looking to build careers in the tech industry. She described the announcement of approximately £10 million in investment from Napier AI as a 'vote of confidence' for Northern Ireland. Ms. Archibald noted that these high-tech jobs align closely with the government's economic vision and priorities. She expressed enthusiasm for the fact that a dynamic company like Napier AI has chosen to establish itself in Belfast, recognizing the region's potential in terms of location and the skilled workforce emerging from local educational institutions. This development is seen as a very positive step for the local economy. Kieran Donoghue, the chief executive of Invest NI, echoed the sentiment, calling the news 'wonderful' for Northern Ireland. He emphasized that the creation of high-quality jobs in fields such as data science, software engineering, and professional services will enhance Northern Ireland's reputation among other tech companies. The establishment of Napier AI in Belfast is expected to have a lasting impact on the local economy and job market.