Tuesday, 22 October 2024
A leading AI researcher from the 糖心原创 has been awarded £6m to lead bold new work aiming to help AI better enable humans to make meaning of the themselves and the world, and AI itself by combining art and the body.
Professor Steve Benford from the 糖心原创’s School of Computer Science has been awarded a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Turing AI World-Leading Researcher Fellowship. He is one of three new fellows, supported through a £15 million UKRI investment.
The scheme is designed to retain, attract and develop the best and brightest AI researchers and allows them to undertake world-leading, innovative AI research in collaboration with partners from other sectors to accelerate its impact.
Professor Benford’s research will explore how AI can be embodied in a way that meaningfully connects to our own human bodies. He will collaborate with award-winning artists to create and study a series of robotic artworks, from robots that embrace and groom humans, to ones that dance and play music with them.
By investigating these systems using an artistic lens he aims to create AI that embraces ambiguity, evokes interpretation, and embraces improvisation. The touring artworks supported through the fellowship will inspire the creative industries with new forms of cultural experience, while engaging the public to reflect on the future role of AI in society, especially on how it might become more inclusive.
Professor Benford says: “This Turing Fellowship will allow me and the teams I work with to not only undertake new, exciting research into AI but also to take that research out to the public to enhance understanding and engagement with this fast-paced technology. We plan to take our landmark artworks on tour internationally, reaching audiences around the world."
We plan to engage the public to reflect on the future role of AI in society, especially on how it might become more inclusive. And they will help position the UK as a leader in creative AI.
The UKRI fellowships are delivered through the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Charlotte Deane said: “To ensure that we capitalise on the enormous potential of AI and also ensure that it serves the needs of society we need to support bold thinking.
“That is what the UKRI Turing AI World-Leading Researcher Fellowships are all about, allowing adventurous thinkers from the UK and across the world to thrive and develop ideas that will benefit us all.”
The three new fellows are the latest leading AI researchers to be supported through the Turing AI World-Leading Researcher Fellowships initiative.
This programme highlights the very best of British innovation as we back new research in areas which will deliver truly transformative innovations for people not just in the UK, but across the globe.
Whether that鈥檚 new avenues for tackling climate change, improving how we diagnose horrendous diseases like cancer, or rolling out cutting edge tools in our hospitals to support our healthcare professionals, we鈥檙e leaving no stone unturned in harnessing AI to improve our health, modernise our public services, and face down some of society鈥檚 biggest shared challenges.
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More information is available from Professor Steve Benford on Steve.Benford@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.