Launch of research Hub to help deliver the next generation of generative AI models

The AI hub in Generative Models, or Gen AI, consists of leading AI researchers from across the UK and more than 40 industry partners. It is one of nine Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded artificial intelligence research hubs that will deliver next-generation innovations and technologies.

The launch at the Francis Crick Institute was opened by Danny Alexander, the Head of Computer Science. Participants included industrial partners, government departments and academics, with researchers from partner universities Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester, Imperial, Surrey and UCL, taking a leading role.

Hub Director, Professor David Barber, introduced the hub’s mission and invited delegates to collaborate with the hub as it develops the next generation of generative AI models.

The event also featured contributions from UCL researchers, including Professor Jack Stilgoe of Science and Technology Studies who spoke about the Responsible AI workstream that he co-leads, which will consider issues including privacy and regulation. 

Professor Lourdes de Agapito Vicente of Computer Science, appeared in a panel on the Future of AI with guests from Open AI and the University of Cambridge. Professor De Agapito Vicente, co-founder of the UCL startup Synthesia shared some observations of the AI enterprise landscape in the UK, which she said showed some encouraging signs of growing strength at the scale-up stage.

Announced last year, the Hub is funded until 2029 and aims to deliver impactful projects and enterprises in a way no single organisation could on its own.

Reflecting on the event, Professor David Barber, said: “It was exciting to see at the launch this week that so many people share our enthusiasm for Generative AI and its potential. This event was an invitation to those people to collaborate with us and we are looking forward to working with them on impactful projects.” 

• Professor Danny Alexander’s academic profile
• Professor David Barber's academic profile
• Professor Lourdes de Agapito Vicente 's academic profile
• Professor Jack Stilgoe’s academic profile
• Gen AI Hub
• UCL Centre for Artificial Intelligence
• UCL Computer Science
• Science and Technology Studies
• UCL Faculty of Engineering