UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has invested in 12 UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in artificial intelligence (AI), with the funding boost totalling £117m.
One of the key motivations behind the investment is to ensure the UK is equipped with skills needed to take advantage of rapidly developing AI technologies and build a homegrown pool of talent.
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, chief executive, UKRI, said: “The UK is in a strong position to harness the power of AI to transform many aspects of our lives for the better.
“Crucial to this endeavour is nurturing the talented people and teams we need to apply AI to a broad spectrum of challenges, from healthy aging to sustainable agriculture, ensuring its responsible and trustworthy adoption.”
Some £117m will be used to train the next generation of AI researchers from across the UK, with this funding building on previous efforts from UKRI towards to achieve this goal.
Doctoral students will specialise in areas such as developing a responsible and trustworthy future for AI, in areas such as healthcare, agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Dr Kedar Pandya, executive director, cross-council programmes at UKRI, said: “This £117m investment will involve multiple business and institutional partners for the Centres of Doctoral Training.
“These include well-known brands such as IBM, Astra Zeneca, and Google, as well as small to medium sized enterprises that are innovating in the AI field.”
An additional £110m has been leveraged from all partners in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, such as use of facilities, resources or expertise.
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