Multi-million-pound collaboration centre established to drive ethical and responsible implementation of AI across the NI business environment
Leaders in industry, academia and government have been appointed to the Advisory Board of the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), led by Ulster University that works to foster greater adoption of Artificial Intelligence.
The AICC will be chaired by FinTrU Head of AI, Kathryn Harkin, who will lead the board from Derry-Londonderry as it sets the strategic direction for the multi-million-pound collaboration centre, which exists to drive ethical and responsible implementation of AI across the NI business environment.
Launched as part of a £16.3 million investment by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy in March 2024, the AICC is based across Ulster University’s Belfast and Derry-Londonderry campuses and delivered in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast. In August, distinguished technology leader David Crozier CBE was appointed to lead its ramp up and delivery.
The AICC Advisory Board features industry representation from Kainos, PwC, Seagate, Ormeau Labs, BT, Matrix and NI Screen who will be supported by representatives from Invest NI, Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast, the Department for the Economy and Innovate UK.
The most concentrated investment in AI skills and capacity in the UK, the AICC is building workforce understanding and capabilities in AI through training and qualification delivery, while also providing hands-on support to SMEs to help them take their first steps in AI adoption.
Speaking on her appointment FinTrU Head of AI Kathryn Harkin said: "I am honoured to chair the Advisory Board of the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre. This initiative represents a significant step forward in harnessing the power of AI to drive innovation and productivity across Northern Ireland – particularly for our SME community. Our goal is to make AI an accessible tool for all relevant sectors, ensuring it is implemented ethically and responsibly to benefit both businesses and society."
With a dedicated team of 25 based across Ulster University’s Belfast and Derry-Londonderry campuses, and at Queen’s University Belfast, the AICC is delivering 390 postgraduate AI qualifications and training thousands of workers across Northern Ireland via workshop based or online skills training.
To embed AI into NI based businesses, the AICC will provide AI, data science and/or machine learning support to 248 SMEs, supporting widespread growth of the technology. Currently, the centre is seeking expressions of interest from SMEs across Northern Ireland that wish to adopt AI and drive productivity in their business. More information can be found at www.aicc.co.
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