AI & Digital Automation
Published: November 1, 2023 | Updated: 15th November 2023
A new artificial intelligence training centre at the University of Southampton has received £15 million in funding to help tackle climate change through AI technology.
The AI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Sustainability – or SustAI – will train at least 70 PhD students, with plans to advance the tech for use across renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and improving healthcare.
Professor Enrico Gerding, Director of the new centre, said: “Environmental sustainability is one of the greatest challenges our world is facing.
“Many countries are setting ambitious targets to reduce emissions and increase renewable energy production.
“AI will be key to achieving these targets and, through SustAI, we will nurture the next generation of engineers and technologists who will be trained to create a sustainable future using AI.”
The announcement came ahead of this week’s AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, and follows a £31 million UKRI grant to the university earlier this year to launch a consortium for developing trustworthy AI.
Associate Professor Lindsay-Marie Armstrong of SustAI said: “Sustainability is at the heart of the centre, both in its research and ethos.
“We’ll equip our students with the ability to transform academic research and make a real change to businesses and society.”
SustAI is one of more than 10 new AI centres announced by UKRI as part of a £117 million investment in facilities across Britain.
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive of UKRI, added: “Crucial to this endeavour is nurturing the talented people and teams we need to apply AI to a broad spectrum of challenges, from healthy ageing to sustainable agriculture, ensuring its responsible and trustworthy adoption.”
Applications for SustAI’s first student intake will open soon, ready for the start of the 2024 academic year.
Read more – AI entrepreneurs & cargo drone pioneers among first arrivals at Southampton Engineering Centre
