Companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve safety on
construction sites, reduce time spent repairing the railways and
cut emissions across supply chains are amongst a number of
projects set to receive a share of £32 million in UK Government
funding.
Announced today (7 August), almost 100 ground-breaking projects
have been awarded financial backing as the government continues
its mission to boost productivity and kickstart growth across the
economy through AI so everyone is better
off.
A total of 98 projects from Southampton to Birmingham and
Northern Ireland will receive funding, involving more than 200
businesses and research organisations spanning a range of sectors
including public services, driving efficiencies and reducing
administrative tasks.
Minister for Digital Government and AI said:
AI will deliver
real change for working people across the UK – not only growing
our economy but improving our public services.
That's why our support for initiatives like this will be so
crucial – backing a range of projects which could reduce train
delays, give us new ways of maintaining our vital infrastructure,
and improve experiences for patients by making it easier to get
their prescriptions to them.
We want technology to boost growth and deliver change right
across the board, and I'm confident projects like these will help
us realise that ambition.
Among the projects is V-Lab Ltd, which has received £165,006 to
further develop software powered by AI to help people train in
the construction sector. Their system offers immersive,
scenario-based virtual simulations of real construction sites to
efficiently train workers on risk assessments and safety
protocols – helping to ensure the UK has a skilled workforce to
deliver the infrastructure the country needs.
As part of the government's mission to build an NHS which is fit
for the future, pharmacies that deliver prescriptions across the
country are also set to benefit from this new financial support.
A project led by Nottingham-based Anteam will see them working
alongside retailers and the NHS to improve the efficiency of
their deliveries using AI algorithms. This
technology will match the delivery needs of retailers and
hospitals to existing delivery journeys, unlocking under-utilised
capacity, cutting carbon emissions and delivering a better
experience for patients.
In a transformational change to how our railway network is
maintained and inspected, Hack Partners will also lead on the
development of an entirely autonomous system which can monitor,
manage, and identify defects on rail infrastructure across the
country. This represents a significant step forward for the
British public, boosting the efficiency and safety of our railway
network to deliver a better service for rail users.
The funding announced today will specifically support solutions
in ‘high growth' industries, ensuring AI is at the heart of
driving forward greater productivity and efficiency across key
areas of the economy. Cambridge-based Monumo are part of a
team awarded £750,152 to develop improved designs for motors in
electric vehicles – their 3D Generative-AI Tool is set to improve
sustainability across sectors spanning commercial transportation,
flight and power generation.
Work on bringing these new innovations to life is already
underway as the winning teams begin to develop their solutions to
deliver the cost-cutting, efficiency boosting benefits across the
UK.
In the field of logistics, Robok Limited are setting to work on
their SeeGul AI tool, which
uses AI to
monitor efficiency, improve resourcing, and identify bottlenecks
which hamper productivity for businesses operating warehouses and
storage facilities. Meanwhile, Kelp Technologies are
collaborating with fashion retailers Depop and Selfridges to
develop real-time pricing and market trend analysis to address
the complexity of pricing second hand apparel. The results of the
project will save time and money for retailers and play an
important role in growing the second-hand clothing market,
reducing waste and greenhouse emissions.
Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI Technology Missions Fund Senior Responsible
Owner and Executive Director of Cross-Council Programmes at
UKRI's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council said:
These projects will drive AI innovation and economic
growth in a diverse range of high-growth industry sectors in all
nations of the UK.
They complement other investments made through the UKRI
Technology Missions Fund, which are already helping to boost
growth and productivity across the UK by harnessing the power
of AI and
other transformative technologies.
The support announced today places UK AI innovation at the heart
of the government's plans to spark economic growth through a
productivity revolution. The winning projects are funded through
the UKRI
Technology Missions Fund to secure the UK's global
leadership in emerging and future AI technologies. The
projects are delivered through the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme,
whose additional support also includes access to training and
scientific expertise, expert AI advice and guidance, and
greater collaboration between businesses and developers.
It follows the King's Speech where the government committed to
‘take the brakes off Britain' through a raft of new Bills,
including generating sustainable growth by encouraging investment
in industry, skills and new technologies.
Notes to editors
The funding call for this investment follows on from
the opening of the
competition last October.
A full list of the projects being
supported can be found on the UKRI website.
