Edinburgh University launches generative AI initiative

The Generative AI Laboratory (GAIL) will unite the University’s research and innovation in AI to develop safe solutions and systems for industry and government. 

The initiative aims to develop techniques for generative AI in areas including robotics, drug discovery, medical diagnoses, semiconductor development, and tackling climate change.

Experts will also work in partnership with the University’s Centre for Technomoral Futures to address the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks necessary to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI. 

In a statement, Professor Helen Hastie, head of School of Informatics, Edinburgh University, said: “GAIL builds on world-class research at the School of Informatics in AI and machine learning, which has been applied to a variety of fields such as healthcare, fintech and sustainability. The School is  well placed to be an anchor for the GAIL cross-disciplinary research and development, by forging key collaborations within the University and with external partners and policymakers.”

Generative AI is a type of machine learning that can be used to generate various types of content including text, images, audio, video and computer code.