The UKRI AI Review, led by EPSRC in collaboration with colleagues across all parts of the organisation, is enabling us to better understand the current UK AI research and innovation landscape. Through the UKRI AI Review we have sought to understand the complex UK AI Research and Innovation landscape, and to set out a clear vision and ambition for the role of the research and innovation community and our plans to support AI research. Collaboration with colleagues across government is particularly important to the team, who have a strong relationship with the government’s Office for Artificial Intelligence. In order to realise the huge potential of AI and Robotics research and innovation for the UK, the team works closely with stakeholders from across the public, private and third sectors. The team collaborates on the delivery of peer review activities with other themes. The AI & Robotics team also work closely with other thematic areas within EPSRC, such as ICT, Mathematical Sciences and Engineering to support a portfolio built on core disciplines, as well as addressing user needs and real-world problems. The UKRI AI Review has been a key part of this collaboration and was one of the first truly cross-UKRI multidisciplinary activities. We therefore work closely with colleagues across UKRI to develop our understanding and to create an ecosystem where different disciplines work together to address key research questions. Many of the challenges in AI and Robotics require a multidisciplinary approach, both in terms of growing foundational capabilities and in developing technologies to address real world challenges for society, the economy and the environment. We work to understand the AI and Robotics landscape through engaging with our communities and key organisations.
The AI & Robotics team has a key role in ensuring EPSRC and UKRI capitalise on opportunities in AI and Robotics, seeking to maintain and build the UK’s internationally leading position in AI and Robotics research and innovation. Advances in both fields have already driven extraordinary changes in areas as diverse as agriculture and energy, food and business productivity. ISCF Robotics and AI in Extreme EnvironmentsĪrtificial Intelligence and Robotics hold great potential to benefit society and the economy.