Companies developing AI to improve safety on construction sites, reduce time spent repairing railways and cut emissions across supply chains are amongst a number of projects set to receive a share of £32 million in government funding.

Ninety-eight schemes, involving more than 200 businesses and research organisations across the UK and spanning a range of sectors are included in the deal, with the aim of creating new technology to improve the lives of working people.

The development of key industries is a top priority, with plans to integrate AI into legacy infrastructure. Hack Partners, for instance, are being backed to lead on the development of an autonomous system which can monitor, manage, and identify defects on rail infrastructure across the country.

Plans for growing the UK’s skilled workforce to implement this next generation infrastructure are also being funded. V-Lab Ltd, awarded £165,006, will develop software powered by AI to help train people in the construction sector using immersive, scenario-based virtual simulations of real construction sites. 

Funding will also go towards projects promoting the circular economy. Kelp Technologies, for example, will collaborate with fashion retailers Depop and Selfridges to develop real-time pricing and market trend analysis to address the complexity of pricing second hand clothes. 

Among other projects being backed is Cambridge-based Monumo, awarded £750,152 to develop improved designs for motors in electric vehicles using their 3D generative AI tool, and Robok Limited which uses AI to monitor efficiency, improve resourcing, and identify bottlenecks for businesses operating warehouses and storage facilities 

Another efficiency-based initiative is Anteam, based in Nottingham, which will use its funding to work with pharmacies, health retailers and the NHS to improve the efficiency of prescription deliveries using AI algorithms.

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The winning projects are funded through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund, following an open call for bids last October, and will be delivered through the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme, with support included for access to training and scientific expertise, as well as expert AI advice.

Commenting on the winning bids, Minister for Digital Government and AI Feryal Clark said: “AI will deliver real change for working people across the UK – not only growing our economy but improving our public services.

“That’s why our support for initiatives like this will be so crucial – backing a range of projects which could reduce train delays, give us new ways of maintaining our vital infrastructure, and improve experiences for patients by making it easier to get their prescriptions to them.”

This latest funding comes only days after the new government announced it was suspending £1.3 billion in funding for tech and AI projects, including scrapping the £800 million plans for the creation of an exascale supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh.