The University of Liverpool has revealed ambitious plans for a groundbreaking £100 million artificial intelligence centre that promises to establish the city as a global technology powerhouse and generate hundreds of new jobs.
A Vision for Technological Leadership
University leaders announced the AI Materials Hub for Innovation, known as AIM-HI, which forms part of a larger £111 million campus development scheduled to open by 2031. The facility aims to strengthen both the Liverpool City Region and the United Kingdom's position as international leaders in AI-driven materials research and development.
Professor Tim Jones, the university's vice-chancellor, disclosed the proposals during his annual conference in Liverpool this week. The event attracted technology experts and academics from across the North West and beyond, all keen to learn about this significant investment in the region's technological future.
Bridging Academia and Industry
The new centre will feature state-of-the-art equipment within flexible laboratory spaces specifically designed to train the next generation of scientists and product developers. A key objective involves creating stronger connections between academic research and commercial applications by fostering collaborations between university researchers and major corporations already employing AI in chemistry.
This initiative builds upon the remarkable success of the neighbouring £81 million Materials Innovation Factory, established by the university in partnership with consumer goods multinational Unilever. That facility uses advanced robotics and technology to dramatically accelerate the development of new health and beauty products, processes that traditionally required decades of research.
The existing factory employs robotic systems named Ariana, Shirley and Gwen to speed up investigations into diverse product ranges from hair care formulations to cleaning solutions, according to reports from the Liverpool Echo.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
Funding for the ambitious scheme will originate from multiple sources, including the university itself and various industrial partners. The university projects the initiative will ultimately create or sustain approximately 900 UK jobs and could deliver an impressive £400 million in value to the national economy.
Professor Tim Jones emphasised the transformative potential of the project: "This is a bold and forward-looking initiative to unlock the full potential of AI in advanced materials discovery. The University of Liverpool is a global leader in AI-driven materials research and industry collaboration, as demonstrated by the success of the Materials Innovation Factory."
He added: "AIM-HI represents the next step in our mission to accelerate materials science innovation, drive regional and national economic growth, and support the UK's transition to net zero. We are determined to put Liverpool – and the UK – at the forefront of the global AI revolution in materials discovery."
Professor Matthew Rosseinsky from the University's Department of Chemistry and Materials Innovation Factory highlighted the broader significance: "AIM-HI reflects our ambition to seize the opportunity offered by AI to accelerate the discovery of the materials that society will need to tackle global challenges. By developing new tools to identify outperforming materials from the vast space of chemistry, we will open new scientific directions and drive forward technology."
Professor Andy Cooper, academic director of the Materials Innovation Factory, concluded: "At Liverpool, we are at the forefront of harnessing the combined power of robotics and AI to drive chemical research and innovation. AIM-HI will be a catalyst for positioning the UK at the leading edge of this fast-moving field – fuelling impact by linking academic excellence and industrial expertise with regional strengths and global networks."
