UK government pumps £32 million into AI projects

The UK government is investing £32 million into 98 artificial intelligence (AI) projects. The funding aims to increase productivity and promote economic growth through the development of AI across different industries.

Selected projects include businesses and research organizations from Southampton to Belfast and Birmingham, with over 200 organizations involved. They are working on various applications, such as enhancing safety on construction sites, optimizing electric vehicle motors, and reducing supply chain emissions.

UK enhances construction safety and transportation with AI

One of the beneficiaries, V-Lab Ltd, received £165,006 to develop software that uses artificial intelligence in training construction workers. Through their virtual reality-based risk assessment and safety protocols, they will ensure there are enough skilled workers for future infrastructure projects. Another company based in Cambridge called Monumo was given £750,152 to build a 3D Generative-AI Tool that is set to improve electric vehicle motor design. This will contribute to sustainability in commercial transportation, flight, and power generation.

Anteam, located in Nottingham is working with NHS service providers and retailers on an algorithm-based prescription delivery optimization project. The main objective here is to find out which deliveries should be made along which routes to reduce time wastage.  This will improve efficiency and also reduce carbon emissions and improve patient experiences.

In another case related to railways, Hack Partners is currently working on an autonomous system that will watch over railway infrastructures while managing them. This project, driven by AI technology, seeks out defects, ensures safety, and enhances service delivery for rail users

AI revolutionizes logistics and retail

Robok Limited is developing SeeGul AI, which will monitor resourcing and find productivity bottlenecks in warehouses. Kelp Technologies is also working on real-time pricing tools for second-hand clothes, partnering with fashion retailers Depop and Selfridges. They are set to deal with the complexities of pricing second-hand apparel while considering market trends at the same time. The scheme hopes to develop the used clothing market, cut down on pollution caused by waste disposal sites, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Minister for Digital Government and AI Feryal Clark talked up the power of transformation that lies within artificial intelligence, saying that this funding will be used on projects like reducing train delays, smarter infrastructure maintenance, or better systems for delivering prescriptions. She said.

“AI will deliver real change for working people across the UK – not only growing our economy but improving our public services.”

The UKRI Technology Missions Fund backs the projects as part of support from the Innovate UK BridgeAI program. This includes training opportunities, scientific knowledge sharing, advice on artificial intelligence (AI), and more cooperation between companies and developers.