University of Glasgow AI Projects

Glasgow scientists secure UK Government funding for AI tech projects.

13:06 01 December 2020

Researchers from the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde have secured UK government funding for their two artificial intelligence (AI) technology projects. The scheme is part of UK Research and Innovation in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute and Office for Artificial Intelligence. 

 

Antonio Hurtado, a senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, received £1.16million for a project that focuses on processing volumes of data fast and efficiently using AI technology. His project will use laser light, similar to those used in supermarket checkouts, to perform complex tasks at ultrafast speed - from weather forecasting to processing images for medical diagnostic. 

 

Hurtado said: “AI systems are key tools to make sense of huge volumes of data but consume very high levels of energy and increasingly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions.

 

“Operating in a similar way to the biological neurons that process information in the brain, the new photonic devices will be able to process data at high speeds while reducing energy consumption, helping the UK to meet its net zero carbon ambitions by 2050.”

 

Jeff Dalton, assistant professor at the University of Glasgow, received £1.59million. His project will focus on the use of voice-based personal assistants, moving beyond the simple tasks and limited conversations performed by current assistants like Siri and Alexa. 

 

Dalton said: “Our goal is to democratise the emerging ‘voice web’ by enabling non-experts to rapidly develop assistants using open-source technology.

 

“The fellowship will accelerate our research using large-scale machine learning models to create the next generation of assistants capable of deeper language understanding and more transparent reasoning.”

 

Science minister Amanda Solloway MP said: “Scotland has a rich history of innovating and the inspiring projects we are backing today – from AI that can process data at lightning speed to virtual assistants performing complicated information tasks- will help to transform the way we live and work, while cementing the UK’s status as a world leader in AI and data.”