London Tech Week witnessed an extraordinary announcement from UK Research and Investment (UKRI), unveiling a comprehensive suite of AI investments designed to foster collaboration between academia and industry partners.

These recent investments, made through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund and Turing AI Fellowship scheme, serve as a testament to the UK's commitment to bolstering and expanding its global AI capabilities.

As part of this momentous announcement, a substantial £31 million has been awarded to a prominent consortium, Responsible AI UK (www.rai.ac.uk), led by the University of Southampton. This consortium's primary objective is to establish an international research and innovation ecosystem for responsible and trustworthy AI that proactively addresses the needs of society.

The initiative aims to collaborate closely with policymakers to provide crucial evidence for future legislation and regulation. The comprehensive activities encompass large-scale research programs, fruitful collaborations between academics and businesses, and the production of white papers that outline the UK and global approaches to responsible AI.

The large investment will be channelled towards a dedicated R&T AI leadership team, of which Professor Máire O'Neill from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's University is an integral part.

Her role in the team includes co-leading the Pump Prime Research and Innovation Program, assisting the tactical team responsible for overall program delivery and serving as the Northern Ireland regional representative.

Professor Máire emphasizes the urgency and significance of this project, particularly in light of recent news surrounding Chat GPT and other ‘dangers’ of AI. The project's mission to ensure responsible and trustworthy AI aligns with the imperative of addressing these concerns and promoting ethical AI practices and technological solutions.

As Professor Máire O'Neill assumes a leadership role in RAI, the stage is set for ground-breaking advancements in responsible AI research, innovation, and governance. This collaborative endeavour promises to shape the future of AI in a manner that safeguards society while maximizing the immense potential of this transformative technology.