Humanoid robot opens groundbreaking Sheffield AI centre aimed at tackling global challenges
Sheffield Hallam University has launched a new Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, bringing together leading academic expertise, industry and public sector partners to address some of the biggest challenges facing society.
The Centre will drive ethical, inclusive and human-centred research and innovation across areas including healthcare, advanced manufacturing and public services.
It was officially launched by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard at an event attended by regional industry leaders, public sector partners and researchers.
He said: “Artificial intelligence will help shape the future, and South Yorkshire is determined to help shape it too. We have a proud history of changing the world through innovation, engineering and industry.
With the talent, research and ambition we have here, there’s a real opportunity to help lead what comes next. We can't afford to sit on the sidelines while decisions about the future are made elsewhere.
The Centre will be led by Alessandro Di Nuovo, Professor of Machine Intelligence at Hallam , and will bring together academic expertise from across the university alongside industrial and public sector partnerships.
Professor Di Nuovo leads a number of collaborative research projects in AI and robotics, supported by public and private sector partners including IBM, UK Research and Innovation and Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
He said: “Artificial intelligence and robotics have enormous potential to transform the way we live and work, but it is vital that these technologies are developed responsibly and with people at their centre.
“Our new Centre of Excellence will bring together expertise from across disciplines and work closely with industry, public services and communities to address real-world challenges. From supporting healthcare and developing the manufacturing technologies of the future to creating more responsive public services, our ambition is to ensure that advances in AI and robotics deliver meaningful benefits for society.”
One of the Centre’s humanoid robots also gave a short speech at the launch event, while guests also had the opportunity to interact with other robots and learn more about several pioneering projects already underway.
These include the €7.3 million Horizon Europe-funded PRIMI project, which has enabled researchers to develop socially interactive autonomous robots using technology inspired by the human brain. The project aims to improve social interaction and support the rehabilitation of stroke survivors.
Another project, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is developing an artificial “mind” for robots that learns and develops in a similar way to a child’s brain. The research aims to create robots capable of reasoning, interacting and adapting more naturally.
Professor Jennifer Smith Maguire, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Technology and Engineering said: “The Centre will champion the ethical and human-centred development of AI and robotics, ensuring these powerful technologies are used in ways that improve lives, strengthen communities and create sustainable economic growth.”