Multi-million-pound collaboration will accelerate real world impact of data centric engineering research

Building on the strong foundations of the strategic partnership, phase two will have a particular focus on safety-critical domains – areas that require strict engineering practices and extensive testing, for example in the transport and energy sectors.

The partnership has already had enormous impact, contributing to the production of the world’s first 3D printed steel bridge in Amsterdam where DCE researchers applied a data-centric approach to test the 3D printed stainless steel used to construct the bridge to ensure its safety, using statistical techniques in conjunction with materials science.

DCE researchers have also produced papers in over 400 scientific publications, delivering and supporting more than 100 projects, and securing several international agreements, from Finland to Australia.

Phase two will enable the development of data science and AI for safety standards, through increased engagement with potential users, across safety domains, and with regulators.

This partnership will play a crucial role in bringing together the best talent to contribute to significant upskilling, fostering knowledge sharing and promoting best practice across data science, AI and DCE. It will involve collaboration with important partners, including Lloyd’s Register Group, MARI-UK, National Shipbuilding Office, Advanced Nuclear Research Centre (ANRC), and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

The new phase for DCE will be supported by a 10-year multi-million-pound investment from both organisations to support innovation, training, policy work and research in the field of big data.

Using data science and AI to solve key societal issues is an important element of the Turing’s new strategy. This partnership will be a key component of the Turing’s grand challenge in environment and sustainability, which aims to address the climate and biodiversity crisis and the need for greater sustainability.

“We’re extremely proud of the work that we’ve done with the Foundation so far, and we’ve achieved a lot in just a few years. Data science and AI has enormous potential to help us solve some of society’s most pressing problems. This partnership will help us to make great progress, particularly in tackling problems related to environment and sustainability and we’re delighted to continue to work closely together in the coming years.”

Professor Mark Girolami, Chief Scientist at The Alan Turing Institute

“Our partnership with The Alan Turing Institute has helped ensure that the safety of people around the world stays at the heart of advances in data-centric engineering. We’re delighted to be renewing our commitment to supporting innovation and research in this emerging field, and accelerating its impact in safety critical industries globally.”

Dr Ruth Boumphrey, Chief Executive at Lloyd's Register Foundation

The DCE programme has recently appointed Professor Adam Sobey to lead the partnership’s work.

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