Lancaster University is pleased to be part The Greater Manchester AI Foundry which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Its aim is to promote growth and innovation within SMEs in Greater Manchester. The Greater Manchester AI Foundry will be delivered alongside Manchester Metropolitan University and the Universities of Manchester and Salford.

Many of the world’s most successful businesses have taken big risks when they were a young SME. For every risk that pays off, there are many more that don’t - causing business setbacks. Many SMEs in the manufacturing sector have processes that have worked for many years and may be reluctant to research and invest in AI technologies, concerned about the possible added expense and its high-risk reputation. On the other hand, businesses that don’t begin to adopt new technologies can risk losing business to competitors. The Greater Manchester AI Foundry hopes to encourage the adoption AI technologies by demonstrating how they can benefit SMEs, removing a large element of this risk.

The GM AI Foundry has two phases of business support. Phase 1 is a peer-to-peer accelerator programme consisting of a series of workshops, aiming to introduce AI technologies, and their benefits, to senior managers. This might be by making a manufacturing process more efficient or by allowing greater innovation when designing new products. Phase 1 provides SMEs with approximately 25 hours of support during which a number of proof of concepts will be demonstrated, including machine learning, cloud-based data processing and advanced additive manufacturing methods.

Lancaster University’s Phase 1 assistance is being delivered by IN4.0 Group who provide high-quality training and consultancy in industrial digital technologies through applied learning. Phase 1 of the first cohort starts on 18th May 2021 and is being delivered to 15 businesses, with the second cohort of 15 due to start on 17th August 2021.

Once a business has received Phase 1 support, they can progress to Phase 2. This is when businesses receive bespoke technical research and development assistance with the aim of developing new products, processes or services. Businesses will have access to the Engineering Department’s resources by working directly with project engineers, academics and students taking part in industry-linked projects.

Do you know an SME in Greater Manchester that would benefit from this de-risking and value the opportunity to collaborate with the AI Foundry? If so, please contact the me or visit the AI Foundry website.

Related Blogs

• 

  Introducing the New Digital Innovation and Security Hub (DISH)

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.