The University was given the award for its research excellence and track record of translation in AI and this will now be significantly enhanced through active involvement with the Institute’s thriving network.

The work is pivotal for many of the ambitions of the Belfast Regional City Deal as it is directly linked with the Global Innovation Institute, which is being led by Queen’s.

Professor Roger Woods, Dean of Research in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Queen’s, said: “AI is central to the University’s Strategy 2030 ambitions in secure connected intelligence. This award helps to underpin our ambitions to work collaboratively with humanities and medicine to provide a cohesive, inclusive community and a ‘one health’ vision by working more closely with The Alan Turing Institute.”

Award Lead, Professor Hui Wang from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s, commented: “I am delighted that we have received this Award from The Alan Turing Institute. This will allow us to grow the data science and AI research and innovation community.

“Working with other UK universities through the network, we will also be able to identify complementary research projects, support knowledge exchange – all of this could lead to future collaborations, strategic alliances and partnerships. It’s an exciting opportunity which has the potential to transform research in this area.”

The Institute’s awards were given to 24 UK universities in total, including institutions from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. As the national institute for data science and AI, the Institute already has a well-established network of university partners. The successful universities will now be awarded up to £25,000 to further develop their work.

Adrian Smith, Institute Director, said: “The awards reflect the demand across a range of sectors to work with the Institute. Data science and AI doesn’t stand still, and so we look forward to working together with this network of universities; exploring new ways to grow the UK’s dynamic research and innovation landscape.”

Professor Gladden, who is currently Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), commented: “UKRI’s ambition is to bring together expertise in both academia and business to retain and extend the UK’s reputation and leadership in AI.

“The Turing Network Development Awards are an important first step in networking UKRI investments and developing wider partnerships across academia and business with The Alan Turing Institute.”