UK backs two new AI labs to drive cheaper and more accessible technology

The UK government has allocated up to £60 million over six years to establish two AI research labs at the University of Oxford and University College London (UCL).
The funding aims to make advanced AI systems less expensive, more reliable, and easier for organizations to adopt, enhancing the UK’s global standing in AI research and innovation.
The labs receive support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with access to substantial computing power.
One of the labs, SOFAIR at UCL, will focus on creating open-source AI technologies for more common computational systems, reducing infrastructure dependency.
The other lab, BOLD at Oxford, will study AI efficiency and adaptability to new environments, enhancing practical applications in sectors like infrastructure and public services.
Both labs aim to complement each other and foster advanced techniques in the fundamental design and functionality of AI systems.
The initiative includes investment in talent development, supporting doctoral students, and early-career researchers to build the country’s AI workforce.
In collaboration with other leading research institutions, the labs aim to cultivate a robust national research ecosystem and reduce dependence on a few global tech providers.