Surrey is set to become home to a high-quality training hub in Artificial Intelligence (AI), a move which could have transformative impacts in the way vulnerable residents engage and access public services.

Government has announced that the University of Surrey and the StoryFutures unit at Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL) will be the home of a new UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in AI for Digital Media Inclusion.

The funding will help establish a unique creative industry hub for high-quality training in responsible AI, inclusive design, and creative skills within the county.

In addition to creating 80 PhD posts, the centre will look at using AI to transform digital media into intelligent content that adapts to individual preferences, such as age, language, and sensory and physical abilities.

The aim will be to place Surrey – and the UK as a whole – as the world leader in media inclusion for the whole population.

Surrey County Council was proud to support the bid with leaders keen to work with the new centre to establish how public service could be made more accessible to its 1.2 million residents.

In a letter of support to the bid, Cllr Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “We are excited by the CDT’s proposed approach to responding to the national need for a new community of experts who individually and collectively will deliver resilience for our digitalised Critical National Infrastructure. 

“We recognise and support the CDT’s aim to develop the underpinning research, training, community-building, and knowledge exchange, contributing 80 highly skilled and connected resilience experts to the workforce.

“The funding bid and subsequent CDT and associated research and expertise will have a significant positive impact on our organisation’s ability to deliver high-quality and sustainable services for all.”

Cllr Oliver added the local authority was interested in exploring how new technology could improve the way its most vulnerable residents access services, including those with special educational needs and disability. 

There was also potential to look at increasing engagement with businesses, fire prevention and community safety services and community engagement around greener futures and net zero.

The Surrey hub will be one of 12 Centres for Doctoral Training in AI across the UK that will benefit from £117 million of funding through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), 

It was announced at the global AI Safety Summit held at Bletchley Park held in October 2023. Since then, teams have been working together to progress the project.

Cllr Oliver added that Surrey County Council has an established track record of working successfully with the county’s universities to drive innovation and economic growth.

This includes the local authority’s cabinet agreeing to investment £3 million to support the establishment of a new CoSTAR (Convergent Screen Technologies and performance in Realtime) satellite studio and incubator space on the RHUL campus.

The new centre for the creative industries – which will have direct links to the national lab based a short distance away at Pinewood Studios – will create 300 jobs, support 200 businesses and contribute £30 million to the Surrey economy.

The Council is also partner in a successful bid by Surrey’s Guildford Games Cluster and Warwickshire’s Silicon Spa for £1.5 million from Research England.

The funding will support two of the UK’s biggest gaming clusters to work with higher education to drive innovation, invest in infrastructure and support growth in the wider regional economy through the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN) project.

Cllr Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “The games industry is one of Surrey’s real success stories, showcasing our county and its talented workforce on a global stage. 

“This funding has the potential to take this growing, innovative sector to new heights, creating high-quality jobs and generating inward investment into our communities – both of which would be good news for our residents.”

A multimillion pound investment into Surrey’s future workforce has officially opened.

The Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology (IoT) at North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) in Epsom provides new cutting-edge facilities for higher level technical training with a focus on digital, sustainable technologies, engineering and construction.

The IoT at Nescot is the first new space to open as part of the Sussex and Surrey IoT. Available courses and apprenticeships include software development, cyber security, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and networking to cloud computing, data handling, ‘internet of things’ and IT support.

Applications from individuals and employers are open now, on the links below

• Part-time courses in IT for adults
• University-level courses in IT for students aged 19+
• Apprenticeships in IT  – applications welcome from employers and individuals

Institute of Technology launch

The Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology (IoT) at Nescot officially launched at the end of February with more than 60 guests at its opening event. 

Visitors had the opportunity to explore the state-of-the-art facilities, participate in hands-on activities and discover the wide range of resources and training opportunities available at the newly opened IoT.

Attendees included representatives of Business Surrey, Surrey Careers Hub and partners and employers from varied industry sectors who were able to find out the many ways in which they can support the future of skills development in the IT sector. 

Anchor employers including NatWest, Roche Diagnostics, Southern Water, Pearson and Gatwick Airport pledged their ongoing support in various ways, from recruiting apprentices and upskilling existing staff to working with curriculum experts to help shape study programmes and providing mentoring.

Computing staff, and students on our computing courses were on hand to showcase the specialist technology facilities and share their excitement with visitors about the courses available.

Julie Kapsalis, Principal and CEO at Nescot said: “We were delighted to welcome our first guests to the IoT at Nescot which was buzzing with activity the whole day. It’s been wonderful to showcase our specialist digital technology facilities, resources and training. We are looking forward to working with businesses and partners to address current skills gaps and prepare for future skills needs.”

Paul Rolfe, Director of the Sussex & Surrey IoT said: “It was fantastic to be at the opening of the first Institute of Technology space here at Nescot. I am very proud to have such state-of-the-art facilities, teaching and learning, to enhance skills development across our region. I am thrilled that so many important employers and businesses could join us today.”

Demonstrating some of the technology, Joseph, a student on our Level 3 Computing course said: “The focus on specialist digital technologies is a great opportunity to enhance my knowledge. Nescot is the perfect choice for the IoT with great access and networking opportunities.”

Peter Goodenough, Computing tutor at Nescot, said: “With the Institute of Technology we can offer progress. Computers are in every walk of life and every industry. The IoT at Nescot is offering courses to enhance future skills and aid long term sustainability. You can choose from a wide range of courses on offer, from learning how to design, create and program smart devices, industrial and home robotics to making you mindful of your digital footprint.”

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