A new £100m AI centre in Liverpool is set to reinforce the city's standing as a global technology leader and could attract hundreds of millions of pounds in additional investment, university leaders say.
The University of Liverpool has unveiled proposals for the national facility, where researchers will explore AI applications in chemistry to develop cutting-edge materials and products.
The AI laboratory will be housed within a new £111m building on campus, scheduled to open by 2031. University officials say the initiative will bolster the Liverpool City Region and the 海角视频's status as "a global leader in AI-driven materials research, development, and innovation".
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Professor Tim Jones, the university's vice-chancellor, announced the plans at his annual conference in Liverpool this week, attended by technology leaders and academics from across the North West and further afield.
Named the AI Materials Hub for Innovation (AIM-HI), the centre will feature "state-of-the-art equipment" within adaptable laboratory spaces designed to train future scientists and product developers. The facility also seeks to connect academic research with industry by fostering collaboration between university scientists and researchers from major corporations already utilising AI in chemistry.
The initiative follows the success of the neighbouring £81m Materials Innovation Factory, established by the university in partnership with consumer goods giant Unilever to utilise robotics and technology to accelerate the development of new health and beauty products that might otherwise require decades. That facility employs robots named Ariana, Shirley and Gwen to expedite research into everything from hair care formulations to cleaning products, reports .
Funding for the scheme will come from "multiple sources" ranging from the university to industrial partners. The university projects the initiative will ultimately generate or sustain up to 900 海角视频 jobs and could deliver £400m in value to the 海角视频 economy.
Professor Tim Jones said: "This is a bold and forward-looking initiative to unlock the full potential of AI in advanced materials discovery.
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"The University of Liverpool is a global leader in AI-driven materials research and industry collaboration, as demonstrated by the success of the Materials Innovation Factory.
"AIM-HI represents the next step in our mission to accelerate materials science innovation, drive regional and national economic growth, and support the 海角视频's transition to net zero. We are determined to put Liverpool – and the 海角视频 – at the forefront of the global AI revolution in materials discovery."
Professor Matthew Rosseinsky, from the University of Liverpool's Department of Chemistry and Materials Innovation Factory, said: "AIM-HI reflects our ambition to seize the opportunity offered by AI to accelerate the discovery of the materials that society will need to tackle global challenges.
"By developing new tools to identify outperforming materials from the vast space of chemistry, we will open new scientific directions and drive forward technology. Our extensive network of industrial and academic partners will be key to success."
Professor Andy Cooper, who serves as academic director of the Materials Innovation Factory, added: "At Liverpool, we are at the forefront of harnessing the combined power of robotics and AI to drive chemical research and innovation. AIM-HI will be a catalyst for positioning the 海角视频 at the leading edge of this fast-moving field – fuelling impact by linking academic excellence and industrial expertise with regional strengths and global networks."