The UK government will be investing nearly £4 million in funding for a set of new green AI innovations, including government-backed research to champion the use of AI for decarbonisation.
A selection of 12 initiatives will each receive a share of a £1 million fund set aside by the government for decarbonising renewable energy and contributing to the country’s ambitious net zero goal by 2050.
Initiatives that will receive funding include solar energy improvements, using AI to improve the forecast of when it will produce the most energy for the grid, as well as using AI robots to help decarbonise dairy farming by using AI robots to monitor crop and soil health.
The funding, which forms part of the government’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, also includes £2.25 million under its AI for Decarbonisation Programme, taking the total to £3.75 million.
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“The ADViCE programme will drive forward AI’s decarbonisation challenges. The programme partners sit at the heart of the UK’s dynamic AI ecosystem and are perfectly placed to forge collaborations between the technology community and some of our most carbon intensive sectors,” said Digital Catapult CEO Dr Jeremy Silver.
“Smart use of AI and data will be fundamental to meeting the UK’s net zero commitment. ADViCE will support those building the algorithms and those investing in AI solutions in the most impactful way possible.”
Energy efficiency and green finance minister Lord Callanan said: “We are unquestionably world-leading when it comes to advanced AI and our track record for decarbonisation. This unique position means we must now push the boundaries in how this can enhance our rapidly-growing clean energy sector.”
AI and intellectual property minister Viscount Camrose added that AI was another example of the UK tapping into its “world-class research base and home grown expertise” to help improve lives using the technology.
