£3.4 million in UKRI funding has been awarded to the University of Leeds and Aston University for a joint research network to assess AI tools and promote responsible AI innovation in research.
In particular, the network looks to respond to challenges faced by doctoral researchers resulting from a lack of guidance around the responsible use of publicly-available AI tools in research. It will look to carry out extensive engagement with PhD researchers, supervisors and research staff to understand how such tools can be used to innovate, along with any identified challenges. This information will then be used to create a resource containing guidance on available AI tools, their intended uses, and best practice use cases.
Training resources will also be developed around AI tools and their use in research, with guidance, training, and professional and career development resources to be co-created across 20 universities involved in the collaboration.
Professor Arunangsu Chatterjee, dean of digital transformation at the University of Leeds, highlighted that the award “reflects the importance of collaboration across universities to understand and shape the role of AI in research”.
The Artificial Intelligence Researcher Development Network Plus (AI.RDN+) will span the eight Midlands Innovation research universities, along with 12 from the Yorkshire Universities consortium, looking to build shared resources and approaches to advance the adoption of ethical AI in doctoral research.
Included in this are the University of Birmingham, University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, University of Warwick, University of Hull, University of Huddersfield, University of Sheffield, and the University of York.
The network is also supported by expert organisations including Jisc, the UK digital, data and technology agency for tertiary education, research and innovation; and the UK Council for Graduate Education.
Wider trend: responsible AI and AI for innovation
For a recent HTN Now webinar, we were joined by Neill Crump, digital strategy director at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust; Anil Mistry, AI safety lead and senior clinical scientist in AI at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust; and Matea Deliu, GP clinical lead and clinical lead for primary care digital delivery, South East London ICB. After some brief introductions, our panellists went on to discuss AI in healthcare, sharing their own learnings from recent AI strategies and projects as well as their thoughts on regulations, tackling data bias, through to safety and evaluations.
The EuroHeartPath project has been launched, with a €27 million budget spanning five years for 18 pioneering pathfinder studies focusing on AI and machine learning, digital health integration, point-of-care diagnostics, and advanced robotic technologies. Setting out to transform cardiovascular care by looking to map and optimise care pathways in 15 EU countries, the project reportedly brings together 35 partners from academia, industry and health, to advance cross-border learning and collaboration.
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust has released its first ever AI strategy, highlighting the “unprecedented opportunity” AI presents for revolutionising healthcare delivery and enhancing clinical outcomes, driving efficiencies, reducing clinician burden, and improving patient care. Years one to three will focus on scaling and optimising AI use, including in areas such as diagnostics, operations, and financial management. An AI monitoring system will be developed to track performance and ensure safety. AI research collaborations will be sought with NHS, industry, and academia, and the trust will work toward HIMSS AMAM Level 7.
