Bristol dominates uni cohort with double win at first AI awards
15 Sep 2024
The University of Bristol’s leading role in artificial intelligence for higher education received public recognition with two wins in an inaugural awards ceremony for AI.
It won in both the University of The Year and the High Tech & Telecom categories at the National AI Awards. The newly-created event is supported by a host of tech firms including BT and Cisco.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement professor Michele Acuto commented that the accolade rewarded decades of pioneering research at Bristol.
“A deep-rooted history of AI innovation has placed the University of Bristol at the forefront of international efforts to safeguard this technology to drive societal change for the better. We are tremendously proud of our colleagues,” said Acuto.
Bristol beat off challenges from its two fellow finalists in the university category, UCL and the University of Cambridge-originated non-profit course creator Blue Dot Impact.
Meawhile, its faculty of science and engineering project, REASON (Realising Enabling Architectures and Solutions for Open Networks), won in the High Tech & Telecom category, in competition with finalists Intent HQ and Cisco Webex.
Associate Pro Vice Chancellor of Research & Innovation professor Annela Seddon stated: “We have a long history of AI research, innovation and education at the University of Bristol and we have always believed in the transformative power of AI to improve lives.
Beginning with the creation of autonomous robots in the post-war era and one of the earliest machine learning MSc programs in 1998, Bristol has played a central part in AI research up to the launch of the Isambard AI supercomputer supported by a £225 million government investment.
“At Bristol, we excel at connecting experts across disciplines—whether it’s working alongside our partners in government, industry, or civil society to co-create responsible and impactful AI solutions,” added Seddon.
“These partnerships, and the ground-breaking research happening across our institutes and centres, demonstrate Bristol’s commitment to a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive future for all.”
The SAS AI Cities Index 2024 ranks Bristol as the fifth most AI-ready city in the UK.
Pic: (l to r) associate pro vice chancellor of Research & Innovation professor Annela Seddon with award for AI University of the Year and Juan Marcelo Parra-Ullauri with AI Award for High Tech & Telecom. Photos by University of Bristol
