The government has announced £4m funding to cut UK carbon emissions across industries through AI solutions.
As part of the government’s £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, the £4m funding will support a range of AI initiatives and projects to combat UK carbon emissions to reach the country’s goal of net zero by 2050.
In 2021, the UK produced 335.95 million tonnes of carbon emissions – 0.89% of total emissions worldwide.
To further reduce UK carbon emissions, the government is now investing in a range of AI projects to help meet climate targets and advance green technologies.
Commenting on the investment, Lord Callanan, the UK Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “We are unquestionably world-leading when it comes to advanced AI and our track record for decarbonisation.
“This unique position means we must now push the boundaries in how this technology can enhance our rapidly growing clean energy sector.
“It’s projects like those announced today that will take us to the next step on our ambitious journey to becoming net zero while boosting our energy security and creating a new wave of skilled jobs for the future.”
How will the funding cut UK carbon emissions?
$1m of the funding will support 12 projects aimed at combatting UK carbon emissions and advancing renewable energy advancements.
These initiatives include using Artificial Intelligence to improve solar energy and using AI robots to decarbonise dairy farming by monitoring crop and soil health.
Open Climate Fix Ltd. will receive £121,500 to improve solar electricity connections to the grid using satellite and weather data to estimate the amount of solar energy transferred to the grid with AI. This system will use significantly less power to reduce UK carbon emissions.
£100,000 has been awarded to Secqai Ltd. to create ultra-low-power AI technology that mirrors the neural structure of the human brain to cut the emissions used by traditional hardware.
The University of Nottingham will cut UK carbon emissions by using sky images and weather data to improve solar energy generation, with the projects awarded £133,932.
Additionally, the £132,147 in funding will enable list.io Ltd. to develop agriculture robotics that automates soil and crop monitoring – helping to cut carbon emissions in the sector radically.
Minister for AI and Intellectual Property, Viscount Camrose, explained the importance of the projects: “AI is delivering transformative change in the UK.
“These winning projects are yet another example of how we are tapping into our world-class research base and home-grown expertise to tackle one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
“Whether backing projects to help us slash emissions or supporting research to revolutionise healthcare for patients, we’re harnessing the enormous potential of AI technologies to improve people’s lives.”
A new UK virtual hub will advance AI technologies
The UK Government’s Digital Catapult agency has also received £500,000 to establish a virtual hub to boost AI innovations to reduce UK carbon emissions.
The Centre for Excellence on AI innovation for decarbonisation (ADViCE) will enhance collaboration between businesses, academics, and experts to further AI research and curb emissions.
CEO of Digital Catapult, Dr Jeremy Silver, said: “The ADViCE programme will drive forward AI’s integral role in solving critical decarbonisation challenges.
“The programme partners sit at the heart of the UK’s dynamic AI ecosystem and are perfectly placed to forge collaborations between the technology community and some of our most carbon-intensive sectors.
“Smart use of AI and data will be fundamental to meeting the UK’s net zero commitment. ADViCE will support those building the algorithms and those investing in AI solutions in the most impactful way possible.”
A further £2.25m will also be provided under the government’s AI for Decarbonisation Programme, with innovators able to apply for the funding until 10 October 2023.
