UK Government announces £32m boost to AI research

The UK Government will invest £32m in artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity across industries.

Around 100 projects will receive a share of the cash injection, two of which are based in Scotland.

Biotech company Dyneval, based at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Innovation Centre, is to receive almost £100,000 to develop its AI-powered solution to animal fertility issues. The team will automate the detection of defects in animal sperm to help vets with fertility testing and improve livestock reproduction rates.

Meanwhile, researchers from Aberdeen University will receive around £1.1m to unlock the potential of AI in agriculture and food processing. With help from Aberdeen-based food packing firm Leap Automation and food distribution company M&W Mack, the teams will develop AI-enhanced robotics to automate the trimming and replanting of crops.

UK Government minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said: “The exciting thing about well-managed AI is that it can enhance and support all sectors. The two projects to receive funding in Scotland from today’s announcement will make a massive difference in agriculture – one from improving the production of livestock, while the other has the potential to improve the quality and yield of our crops.

“Harnessing and investing in technology in this way is essential for growth and for keeping Scotland and the UK at the front of the global stage in the advancement of AI.”

Other projects will focus on helping the NHS, with Nottingham-based start-up Anteam looking into how AI algorithms can boost pharmacies' efficiency in delivering prescriptions across the country. It is hoped the solution will unlock under-utilised capacity and enhance patient care.

London-based Hack Partners will also lead an initiative to develop an autonomous system capable of monitoring and identifying defects in rail infrastructure, which can cause train delays and cancellations.

Funding comes from the UKRI Technology Missions Fund. Launched in 2022, the fund is set to deliver a total of £320m in funding to accelerate technology development and secure the UK’s global leadership in critical technologies.

The projects will be delivered through Innovate UK  - also part of UKRI - BridgeAI programme, which offers participants training and connects them with AI experts.

Today’s investments come days after the government shelved £1.3bn of funding for AI projects, including money that had been allocated for developing an exascale supercomputer at Edinburgh University.

Although the cash cut means the project’s future is now unclear, it was not part of today’s funding announcement.