We have been awarded a £1 million grant as part of a new £10 million national research hub from Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) that will focus on developing new mathematical foundations for artificial intelligence (AI).
The grant will put us at the forefront of national conversation on the future of AI technology.
The 5-year project, called the ‘Erlangen Programme for AI’ brings together leading researchers across computer science, statistics, and mathematics from six universities, including: Durham, Oxford, Southampton, Queen Mary, Imperial and Aberdeen to collaborate on enabling the next generation of more effective, reliable and safe AI systems.
They will also strengthen AI systems and their applications in scientific and industrial settings.
The grant will fund two post-doctoral researchers and two PhD students at Durham, as well as support knowledge exchange events and conferences.
It represents a major opportunity for us to showcase our expertise in AI and mathematics on an international scale.
The programme references Felix Klein's Erlangen Programme, which unified geometry, algebra and physics in the 19th century.
Researchers aim to similarly transform modern AI through new mathematical techniques from geometry and topology.
A core motivation is to reduce the immense computing resources required for many AI systems today.
By bringing geometry and topology into AI, they hope to pioneer systems that are more effective and use fewer computing resources.
The programme aligns with our University Strategy around supporting world-changing research addressing issues like environmental sustainability.
Our Department of Mathematical Sciences combines world-leading research with a dedication to the learning experience of our students. Ranked 4th in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2023, we offer a unique blend of high-quality teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines and provide practical experience to support future careers and employment prospects.
Feeling inspired? Visit our Mathematical Sciences webpages to learn more about our postgraduate and undergraduate programmes.
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