Research theme: AI, digital and cyber-physical systems
Building a connected, smart and sustainable future through new technologies.
About our research theme
About our research
We conduct world-leading fundamental and applied research across various areas, with a strong focus on ethical, responsible use and positive societal impact. Our specialisms include the disciplines below.
Artificial intelligence
- artificial intelligence (AI) ethics
- big data
- computer vision
- machine and deep learning
- natural language processing and large language models
- neuromorphic computing
Cyber-physical systems and digital
- blockchain
- computational modelling of fluid flow
- cyber security
- digital twins
- human-centred computing
- robotics and autonomous vehicles
- serious games and gamification
- the internet of things, including the future of communications, computing and the internet
Our impact
Our interdisciplinary approach is transforming lives and driving rapid expansion in areas such as:
- agriculture and food
- arts
- creativity
- education
- energy
- engineering
- environment
- health
- smart cities
- social sciences
- sports
- transportation
Leading innovation
We work with more than 180 small and medium-sized enterprises in Greater Manchester through our innovation projects. Our support helps to drive the growth of AI-powered businesses. We’ve led many high-profile projects, including:
- the AI Foundry, a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project
- the Centre for Digital Innovation, an innovation accelerator programme
- the Cyber Foundry, an ERDF project
Training future talent
We offer comprehensive AI training for undergraduates, postgraduates, doctoral students and early career researchers.
Our commitment to promoting AI skills extends beyond academia. We also provide specialised training to organisations and partners, to help them address skill gaps and harness the potential of AI.
The Turing University Network
We’re part of The Turing University Network, which focuses on data science and artificial intelligence expertise. Our membership expands our collaborative reach, so we can take on ambitious projects that address larger-scale global challenges.
Our vision is to lead the way in creating a world where AI, digital innovations and cyber-physical systems transform industries, promote environmental sustainability and improve life quality.
Our vision is to lead the way in creating a world where AI, digital innovations and cyber-physical systems transform industries, promote environmental sustainability and improve life quality.
Our funding
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Organisations that support us
Many national and international organisations support our work, including:
UK Research and Innovation:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Natural Environment Research Council
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Innovate UK
Global Challenges Research Fund
Newton Fund
European Commission
Medical Research Council
Royal Academy of Engineering
Cancer Research UK
British Council
European Union
Industry partners
Related research groups
The major contributions to this theme come from these research groups.
Department of Computing and Mathematics
- Data and artificial intelligence ethics
- Data science
- Human-centred computing
- Machine intelligence
- Mathematical modelling and flow analysis
- Secure and intelligent systems
- Secure, smart infrastructure
Department of Engineering
- Connectivity and signal processing
- Modelling and digital twin
- Smart energy systems
- Smart infrastructure and industry research
Featured research projects
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Department of Computing and Mathematics
- Nitrogen diagnosis using AI and robotics
- Crop disease diagnosis using drones
- Edge-AI mobile app for crop disease detection
- AI Foundry
- Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI)
- Co-production in AI research
- Greater Manchester People’s Panel for AI
- Facial wrinkles detection and inpainting
- Smart technology and ulcer detection
- Protecting coastlines from wind-blown waves
- Extreme loading on floating wind turbines
- Preventing prescription drug counterfeiting
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Department of Engineering
Hybrid wireless sensor network for early warning and identification of natural disasters (2022-2025). Funded by NATO.
Rural environmental monitoring via ultra-wide-area networks and distributed federated learning (the REMARKABLE project). Supported by the MCSA. Total budget: €1.2M; Manchester Met budget €180K (awarded). Four African partners and five EU partners.
Triangulum – a smart cities and communities solutions project integrating the energy, transport, and information and communications technology sectors (2015-2020). A consortium of 22 partners across three EU cities: Manchester, Eindhoven and Stavanger Total budget €23m; Manchester budget: €340K.
Nigeria Intelligent Clean Energy Marketplace (2019-2021). Demonstrated peer-to-peer energy trading in Nigeria between a school and the community around it.
Energy-IQ (2019-2020). Used AI and green energy to provide energy as a service in Canada and the UK. Funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Total budget: £2.2M; Manchester Met budget £200K.
Using AI and the IoT to monitor and manage living green wall infrastructure. Knowledge transfer partnership with I Want Plants Ltd.
Digital twin and AI-enabled cyber security. Knowledge transfer partnership with BlueTech.
Designing and optimising living green wall infrastructure. Innovate UK knowledge transfer partnership with I Want Plants Ltd.
Digital twin computational fluid dynamics for assessing air quality. Knowledge transfer partnership with Clean Air Ltd.
Non-intrusive water quality management systems and mobile water metering infrastructure. Innovate UK knowledge transfer partnership with Aquacheck Engineering Ltd.
Organisations we work with
GMCA
NHS Northern Care Alliance
Related departments
The major contributions to this theme come from these departments.
Contact information
Contact us
For general enquiries, please contact our research theme lead Prof Liangxiu Han.