Westminster establishes new Artificial Intelligence Network

The new research centre, co-directed by Dr Alexander Bolotov, Reader in Computer Science and Engineering, and Dr Tom Nadarzynski, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences, is a culmination of the University’s growing engagement with the Alan Turing Institute (ATI), the UK’s national institute for AI and data science. Westminster joined the Turing University Network (TUN) in 2023, becoming one of 65 partner institutions and quickly establishing itself as an active contributor to national AI conversations.  

The centre is open to all Westminster researchers with AI expertise or an interest in AI research, connecting academics across disciplines to work together on some of the most pressing modern challenges. With over 80 active researchers across all schools, there are a wide range of projects currently being undertaken, from AI-driven diagnostic tools and sustainable transport to algorithmic fairness, legal frameworks and creative AI applications.

As its first event, the Network hosted an interactive workshop titled Baking Equity into Conversational AI in Healthcare as part of Westminster’s Graduate School Festival. The session explored how AI tools in healthcare can be designed to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Looking ahead, the Westminster AI Network has outlined an ambitious two-year plan that includes hosting public engagement events and training workshops, leading an edited volume on AI and inequality with the University of Westminster Press, building a bank of AI expertise and funding resources, applying to host a Turing Data Study Group and establishing a London TUN Hub in collaboration with other regional universities.

The University has hosted a series of high-profile events and secured several grants in AI-related research. In March 2024, Westminster hosted an AI event as part of the ATI’s AI UK 2024 Fringe Events series. Taking place on the University’s Cavendish Campus, it brought together researchers and practitioners to explore the intersection of AI with EDI.  

The University has received substantial funding supporting AI research since 2020, including funding from the ATI, dedicated to advancing digital health and AI-powered healthcare solutions, while ensuring their safe and effective use. The ATI’s support towards the University helped launch a new project led by Dr Bolotov, focused on AI-driven text summarisation, a technology that automatically generates concise summaries of large documents.

Professor Andrew Linn, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University, said: “AI is so much more than a field of Computer Science. Its implications are social, creative, legal, psychological, educational and more. In short, it touches all areas of our lives. The Westminster AI Network is a centre where all parts of our diverse multidisciplinary university come together to share methods and insights in helping us all navigate through the world of AI, reaping the benefits and avoiding pitfalls. Our Research and Knowledge Exchange strategy is to find solutions to make a difference for our communities and the world, and the Westminster AI Network will do just that.”

The Westminster AI Network will officially launch with a welcome event in October.

The Network directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Learn more about Data Science and Informatics courses at the University of Westminster.