EXETER — Researchers from the University of Exeter are making waves in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science, as they take center stage at The Alan Turing Institute’s AIUK conference 2024. Held on March 19th and 20th, this national event serves as a platform for experts to address pressing global challenges, according to a press release published on EuropaWire.

The Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) at the University of Exeter is spearheading groundbreaking research across various domains. One notable project highlighted at the conference is the Bluebird project, led by Professor Richard Everson in collaboration with colleagues from the University, the Turing Institute, and NATS. The Bluebird project aims to develop the world’s first AI system to control a section of airspace in live shadow trials. Professor Everson emphasized the importance of incorporating trustworthy AI systems for safe and secure system development.

“The Bluebird project is a great example of researchers from the University and the Turing working with industry to tackle a novel use of AI in real-world applications,” said Professor Everson.

In addition to the Bluebird project, Exeter researchers showcased a diverse array of interdisciplinary research at the conference. Charlie Kirkwood demonstrated the use of AI in geological modelling and mapping, while Aline Villavicencio and colleagues explored the limits of understanding large language models. Ke Li, Jack Cole, Phoenix Williams, and their team presented research on adversarial attacks and defense mechanisms for deep neural networks.

Other notable presentations included urban analytics research by Federico Botta, Ronaldo Menezes, Liam Berrisford, and collaborators from Northeastern London University, as well as policy-informing initiatives by Danny Williamson, Amy Binner, and colleagues within the EPSRC funded ADDTREES project.

Reflecting on the University’s participation, Professor Aline Villavicencio, Director of IDSAI, expressed delight in showcasing interdisciplinary research projects and engaging in discussions with the national community at AIUK.

“We are delighted that the University is showcasing many interdisciplinary data science and AI research projects from across a range of departments,” said Professor Villavicencio.

Eilis Hannon also presented the Alan Turing Institute Skills Policy Award at a skills workshop, underscoring the University’s commitment to building a resilient AI workforce.

The University of Exeter’s Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence serves as a hub for data-intensive science and AI activity, fostering innovation and collaboration across departments.

For more information about the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Exeter, please visit here.