The head of artificial intelligence at Kainos believes Northern Ireland could lead the way in AI due to the government’s new white paper.
‘A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation’ was presented to the Government in March and updated in June.
It presents the UK’s approach to artificial intelligence in both the challenges and opportunities it brings.
It states AI is already delivering wide societal benefits “from medical advances to mitigating climate change”.
Developments from companies such as DeepMind, who developed an artificial intelligence which can predict the structure of almost every protein known to science, are cited.
It comes as the San Francisco based company OpenAI, which operates the controversial chatbot ChatGPT programme, is expanding with its first office outside the US in London.
Developments from companies such as DeepMind, who developed an artificial intelligence which can predict the structure of almost every protein known to science, are cited.
It comes as the San Francisco based company OpenAI, which operates the controversial chatbot ChatGPT programme, is expanding with its first office outside the US in London.
“Open AI’s decision to choose London as their first base outside of the US is unsurprising,” said Ruth McGuinness, head of data and AI at Kainos.
“Given the UK Government’s proposed low-regulation, pro-innovation approach to AI Regulation as set out in the recent ‘AI White Paper’, this makes the UK an attractive proposition for AI firms wanting to operate outside of the high-regulation approach currently being considered by the EU, China and the US.”
The white paper refers to the UK as a “global AI leader” that seeks to reassure the public in how the benefits of AI can outweigh the risks.
It also proposes lower regulation and operating costs to aid businesses wanting to advance in the technology.
In recent years, Invest Northern Ireland has been highlighting the region’s position in AI start-ups and development.
For example, Belfast has seen a small tech revolution with companies choosing to base across the water from GB due to what is often cheaper office space and costs.
Ms McGuiness’s company, the city centre based Kainos, is just one example of a company leading the way in the tech space while making waves across the world with clients including the Ministry of Defence and larger global food brands like HelloFresh.
“There is significant investment being made into AI skills development across NI, including the AI Research Centre (AIRC), which was recently launched at Ulster University in partnership with Kainos,” Ms McGuinness added.
The company partnered on the programme in January. It promises to “undertake innovative and challenging fundamental and applied research to achieve international standard and knowledge advancement in AI field.”
Queen’s University is currently offering its own advancements, with their Cyber-AI Hub spearheaded by Professor Marie O’Neill, who sits on the UK’s Artificial Intelligence Council.
It offers doctoral training and collaborates with Northern Ireland’s cyber security companies on research projects.
“Kainos is well connected with UK Government, as well as the UK AI ecosystem, with an up-to-date and market leading view on Artificial Intelligence across the UK,” continued Ms McGuinness.
"We recognise that the proposed low-regulation approach to AI for companies that operate within the UK, coupled with access to a highly skilled workforce and lower operating costs, could see Northern Ireland being a very strong contender as the location of choice for companies wanting to establish an AI business in the UK.”