National AI Research Lab Launch
SES universities are helping to shape the future of artificial intelligence through the launch of the new Science of Fundamental AI Research (SOFAIR) Lab.
The SOFAIR Lab
The recently launched Science of Fundamental AI Research (SOFAIR) Lab brings together expertise from University College London (UCL), the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh to develop the next generation of open-source AI technologies. Led by Professor David Barber (UCL Computer Science), the £30 million research lab aims to make AI systems more accessible, efficient and less dependent on a small number of global technology providers.
A National Investment in AI research
The SOFAIR lab is part of a £60 million scheme funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to create two UK labs dedicated to rethinking how AI works, learns and can be made more open, efficient and useful.
Based at UCL, the new lab will bring together researchers from computer science, mathematics, statistics and neuroscience to explore new AI architectures and training methods. The goal is to develop advanced AI systems that can run on more widely available hardware, helping ensure that cutting-edge technologies are accessible to a broader range of researchers, organisations and industries. At the launch event in September Professor Barber said: “We’re very thankful and grateful to UKRI and EPSRC. The £30 million investment over the next six years is a massive opportunity for us to really do fantastic, deep, fundamental research in AI and come up with new paradigms that can move the needle of AI forward.” As part of the launch event, Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) and Executive Board member for UCL, held a roundtable discussion with Professor David Barber and Professor Michael Wooldridge from Oxford University highlighting the role the UK can play in AI including the potential challenges and opportunities.
Key roles for UCL, Cambridge and Oxford
For Cambridge, the initiative builds on world-leading work in machine learning systems led by Professor Nicholas Lane, Professor of Machine Learning Systems. Researchers will focus on developing new approaches to distributed AI training, connecting existing computing resources across networks to create greater collective capacity and reduce reliance on highly centralised computing infrastructure.
The University of Oxford is also a key partner in SOFAIR and is contributing expertise to the lab’s research programme. Oxford is simultaneously leading SOFAIR’s sister initiative, the British Open-ended Learning and Discovery (BOLD) Lab, which will explore how future AI systems can learn more effectively and operate alongside people in complex real-world environments.
Strengthening the UK’s AI ecosystem
Speaking at the launch, Professor David Barber highlighted the significance of the investment for UK research, describing it as an opportunity to undertake “deep, fundamental research” that could help shape entirely new AI paradigms and advance the UK’s sovereign AI capabilities.
The involvement of UCL, Cambridge and Oxford underlines the strength of SES universities in driving nationally significant research and innovation. By combining expertise across institutions and disciplines, SOFAIR aims to accelerate fundamental advances in AI while supporting new partnerships, entrepreneurship and the translation of research into real-world impact.
Shared with permission and lightly adapted by Jessica Livermore.
Original story by Michael Lucibella, UCL, Photo by James Tye, UCL
Photo: (From left) Prof Mike Wooldridge from Oxford University, Prof David Barber (UCL Computer Science) and Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) host a roundtable discussion on stage at the SOFAIR Lab launch
Find Out More
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