Coventry University introduces new initiatives to support responsible use of AI

Coventry University has launched three new initiatives aimed at supporting responsible, accessible and applied use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a coordinated approach across research, education and industry engagement.

The AI Skills Academy, AI Adoption Lab and Coventry Centre for Doctoral Training (C-CDT) in AI are central components of a wider strategy to connect AI discovery with deployment and skills development. The initiatives aim to strengthen AI capability across sectors and provide new pathways for collaboration between researchers, students, practitioners and communities.

“We’re building an AI ecosystem where research, skills, and innovation converge. Students learn alongside practitioners; researchers co-create with industry; and communities shape the tools that will define their futures. This is AI as collaboration, not consumption,” said Professor Elena Gaura, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research).

The AI Skills Academy addresses AI capability gaps within industry, government and education. Based on the Alan Turing Institute’s AI Skills for Business Competency Framework, the Academy offers a range of professional learning opportunities including short courses, CPD programmes, bootcamps and executive education.

Courses are developed in collaboration with employers in sectors such as energy, healthcare, automotive and public services to ensure training aligns with practical needs and sector demands.

The AI Adoption Lab provides an applied environment for organisations to develop and test AI solutions. Through proof-of-concept projects, secure data environments, testbeds and expert coaching, the Lab helps partners to translate academic insights into practical applications.

Participants also benefit from access to secure compute infrastructure and innovation vouchers. The initiative supports the West Midlands’ wider goal of becoming a hub for trusted and impactful AI.

“Through initiatives such as the AI Adoption Lab and Skills Academy, we’re giving the regional and national workforce the tools and confidence to apply AI with purpose and impact,” added Professor Elena Gaura, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research).

The Coventry Centre for Doctoral Training in AI (C-CDT) brings together over 60 PhD researchers from different disciplines. The centre is independently funded and aims to ensure that doctoral research in AI meets standards of methodological rigour, ethical awareness and reproducibility.

Doctoral students are supported with access to specialist supervision, GPU infrastructure and Coventry University’s Human-Centred AI Transdisciplinary Network, which brings together over 100 researchers from 20 academic areas.

These initiatives form part of Coventry University’s Human-Centred AI Strategy, which integrates research, education and innovation to promote inclusive prosperity. By embedding AI into research priorities and educational programmes, the university seeks to broaden access to AI tools and their responsible application across sectors and communities.

Image source: By Keith Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77900717