A Photonics researcher at the University of Strathclyde has received a prestigious fellowship to support his development of ultra-fast Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for medicine, security and renewable energy. Dr Antonio Hurtado, Senior Lecturer at Strathclyde's Institute of Photonics, is one of 15 recipients of Turing AI Acceleration Fellowships, supported by a £20million government investment and delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to lead innovative and creative AI research with transformative impact. Dr Hurtado aims to develop ultrafast yet energy efficient AI systems using photonic devices which operate through low-energy light signals, such as the semiconductor lasers that can be found in mobile phones and supermarket barcode scanners. Dr Hurtado said: "In today's world, the ability to process vast amounts of data fast and efficiently is crucial in sectors such as energy, healthcare and finance. AI systems are key tools to make sense of huge volumes of data but consume very high levels of energy and increasingly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. "Operating in a similar way to the biological neurons that process information in the brain, the new photonic devices will be able to process data at high speeds while reducing energy consumption, helping the UK to meet its net zero carbon ambitions by 2050.

Fifteen UK researchers have been awarded the Fellowships, named after AI pioneer Alan Turing, supported by a £20million government investment. As a result of the government investment, Fellows will work with academia and industry to help elevate their world-class research and transfer their innovations from the lab to the real world. These innovations have the potential to change how people live, work and communicate, helping to place the UK at the forefront of the AI and data revolution. Dr Hernandez Lobato's research focus will be on'Machine Learning for Molecular Design'. Many existing challenges, from personalised health care to energy production and storage, require the design and manufacture of new molecules.

Artificial intelligence (AI) projects including research into the early detection of cancer have received £20 million in funding from the Government. The Turing AI Acceleration Fellowships have been awarded to 15 researchers using AI on innovative and diverse projects, including on energy efficient data processing and increasing workplace productivity. The fellows include Professor Christopher Yau, at the University of Manchester, who aims to use artificial intelligence technology to predict cancer development inside the body before it has fully formed. Professor Damien Coyle, from Ulster University, has also been given a fellowship for his work developing AI technology for use in wearable neurotechnology. By measuring signals from the brain without needing movement, the technology could help people who are unable to communicate after a serious injury or illness.