National Edge AI Hub for Real Data: Edge Intelligence for Cyber-disturbances and Data Quality

The Hub will address two challenges introduced by the use of Edge Computing (EC) to support emerging AI algorithms: dealing with cyber disturbances and managing data quality. The Hub will achieve these through a unique 3x3x3x2 matrix that reflects the complexity of these systems:
(1) 3 real-world application domains
(2) 3 tiers of EC architecture
(3) 3 ground-breaking research work streams
(4) 2 industry engagement work streams

Their inter-relationships will be examined by a multi-disciplinary team with track records in EC architecture (Newcastle, Cardiff, St. Andrews, UWS, Imperial, Hull), foundational AI and Data Quality (Southampton, Durham, QUB, Swansea), wireless communication (Cardiff, UWS), device malfunction, attack detection and prevention (Newcastle, Lancaster, Cardiff, Warwick), and AI security (Lancaster, Swansea, Durham, Warwick). This network will enable us to engage with regional development agencies in these areas.

Applications include autonomous electric vehicles, energy security and remote healthcare. At the Newcastle Urban Observatory test-bed, a world-leading UK-funded effort collaborating with sensor system manufacturers, software companies and others, we will use interactions across 3 tiers of EC architecture: sensors (Tier 1), edge devices that control them (Tier 2), and cloud-based data storage and processing (Tier 3), to identify the benefit of these interactions in the real-world data processing. The agenda will be underpinned by activities in 5 interrelated work streams.

We have strategies in:

Embedding Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to EDI policies of UKRI and EPSRC Councils and EDI policies of our members. From these, we will form our guiding principle around EDI for members to adhere to in all matters related to the Hub, including recruitment, research, workshops, project allocations, outreach activities, etc. All core committees will have an EDI champion. We will ensure that activities are fair, free from bias and preference of any kind, and uphold the respect and integrity of all members. The Hub is constituted of members from diverse ethnic backgrounds, races, and gender and has intrinsically diverse and multicultural characteristics. We will actively encourage students from under-represented groups to pursue industry-funded PhDs with the Hub. The PDRA requirement in the Hub will, while maintaining the best talent, offer equal opportunity to candidates of all backgrounds, disabilities, sexual orientations, gender, and ethnicity. The Hub will use institutional infrastructure to support the well-being of staff and members.

Intellectual Property Management: While most research outcomes will be made public (e.g., software open access), some may be subject to patents. Participating universities have commercialisation offices to identify, assess, protect, manage and commercially develop IP to maximise national benefits from public investment in research, which we will use to commercialise significant outcomes. Information about services, standards used, and other technical details will be made public to attract industrial partners and to promote training in the new technologies. Non-technical press releases and notes will be available to general audiences. An in-principle agreement has been reached with consortium members that each shall retain ownership of any background IP contributed to the project and that the ownership of project-generated IP shall be shared based on respective partner contributions. Hub activities will in general follow the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research and this will be applied to each project managed under the feasibility fund. Non-Disclosure Agreements with commercial partners will be in place to manage sensitive information. Specific terms regarding IP will be further defined in a collaborative research agreement before the commencement of the project.