Capital at centre of a revolution
U INTRODUCTION Prof Kim Graham, University of Edinburgh Provost, is excited by innovation
As provost of a university aiming to embed data-driven innovation across south-east Scotland, the rapid progress of technology – in particular around artificial intelligence (AI) – continues to amaze me.
The University of Edinburgh is right in the middle of this exciting, innovative space. Last year, it celebrated 60 years as a global pioneer of AI research by opening a new Generative AI Laboratory. Here experts will develop techniques for generative AI in areas such as robotics, drug discovery, medical diagnoses, and tackling climate change.
The Data-driven Innovation initiative (DDI), born from the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, also celebrated its fifth anniversary, with figures showing the astonishing success it has achieved so far.
In the academic year 202223 alone, the DDI recorded 35,000 course completions, equipping people of all ages with skills for a data and AI age. Some £127 million in research activity was delivered, surpassing the planned £57m by 125 per cent. And 41 data-centric technology companies were supported, bringing the total so far to 433 vibrant datafocused companies that are bringing fresh, exciting ideas to our region.
At the heart of the DDI initiative is a cluster of innovation hubs that bring together a range of academic disciplines and external partners to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues. Four of the six hubs have now opened: The Bayes Centre, Easter Bush Agritech Hub, The National Robotarium, and Edinburgh International Data Facility.
Edinburgh Futures Institute will open fully this year, turning the old Royal Infirmary building, designed to prevent contagion, into a place which encourages a modern-day contagion of ideas and debate around the challenging relationship between human beings and technology.
Construction is also complete on the new Usher Institute, which will specialise in how data can deliver improved health and social care.
But it’s not all about numbers and buildings – as this supplement shows. It’s about creating solutions to the challenges of today, and creating jobs and growth now and for the future.
Less than two years after its opening, The National Robotarium is the UK’S leading centre for academics and companies to test robotic solutions and devise real-world applications to revolutionise healthcare, energy, and how we live.
Organisations flock to the Robotics and Autonomous
Systems Laboratory to test how innovations can support their work, and more young businesses are being supported to develop brilliant new ideas.
But there’s more! Chief executive of The National Robotarium, Stewart Miller, wants to replicate the success of the Robotarium across the UK, by building ten new robotariums to help make the UK an active producer of robotics, not just a passive consumer.
I was also excited to read about the success of Creative Informatics, which brings together the creative industries with technology and data businesses and makes magic happen. The creative industries are rich and varied in Edinburgh and I’m proud the DDI has been able to help them become better-placed to grasp the opportunities of the future.
Finally, the DDI is again partnering with
The Scotsman for a data conference this year. The theme is most timely. In the busiest year in a generation for global democratic elections, the event will look at Data, Deepfakes and Democracy, and the growing challenges of separating truth from lies in our often confusing online world.
Professor Oliver Escobar, based at Edinburgh Futures Institute, will be at the forefront of discussions about how democracies work with rapidly-changing technology, especially
AI, to build better future democracies.
This is yet another example of the DDI’S role in working with partners to navigate our way through a challenging world, helping them to find that balance between innovation, regulation, ethics and technology.
It’s not always easy to identify these solutions, but I’m proud that the University of Edinburgh and the DDI initiative are at the very forefront of helping industry and wider society to do so.
I’m excited to continue building on the strong partnerships which have been forged by the DDI project and explore how we can support and accelerate progress in other sectors in Edinburgh and south-east Scotland, where regional collaboration is vital.
The University of Edinburgh is right in the middle of this exciting, innovative space