Overview
Delivering impactful AI innovations through complementary excellence.
The Cognitive Analytics and Digital Robotics Innovation Centre (CADRIC) is a £39m Derry City & Strabane District Council innovation project, collaborating with industry to harness technologies in AI data analytics, machine learning and robotics. The establishment of a new purpose-built facility adopts a “shared front door” approach for two industry-facing centres of excellence: the Centre for Industrial Digitalisation, Robotics and Automation (CIDRA) and Cognitive Analytics Research Laboratory (CARL) Innovation Centres of Excellence.
CIDRA catalyses the transformation of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing landscape, positioning the North West as a global hub for industrial digitalisation, robotics and manufacturing.
CARL collaborates with industry to deliver impactful AI innovations through access to cutting-edge academic research, facilities, and talent to co-create bespoke solutions.
Working in partnership with CADRIC, the £16.3m Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC) accelerates responsible AI adoption across Northern Ireland. Led by Ulster University in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, AICC bridges AI research and practical industry application.
The Challenge
Overcoming barriers to AI adoption.
The UK’s AI sector is strong but faces growing global competition. To stay ahead, wider adoption across industries is needed to boost demand and help AI businesses scale and thrive locally.
The field of data analytics has evolved over the years, with the next paradigm shift being Neuro AI, which leverages High Performance Computing (HPC) to combine advanced AI and Machine Learning (ML) with modern data analytics techniques.
CARL addresses real-world industrial challenges through applied research and innovation and catalyses the development of a digital innovation ecosystem. The centre applies HPC-driven AI and ML techniques to a wide range of sectors, such as Advanced Manufacturing, Life & Health (including Personalised Medicine and Therapy), Creative Industries, Law and RegTech, Fin-tech, Agritech, and Green-tech.
However, smaller businesses face higher barriers to AI adoption, highlighting the need for tailored support to close the gap with larger firms. AICC’s AI Capability Census identified 198 firms active in AI across Northern Ireland, employing 1,340 professionals and generating £82m GVA in 2024, with projections of £200m by 2028.
Partnerships
Empowering industry with next generation AI solutions.
We offer an inclusive gateway for industries of all sizes in Northern Ireland to harness research power, enabling unique cutting-edge solutions for accelerating business process improvements and driving product innovations.
CARL and AICC operate as complementary partners within Northern Ireland’s AI ecosystem. Both centres share a commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application, supporting businesses, particularly SMEs, in translating research into practical innovation.
Whilst AICC focuses on building AI capability, skills and the adoption of AI at scale through training, collaboration and hands-on support programmes, CARL extends this continuum by providing the research depth, advanced computing infrastructure and the translational expertise required to develop and deploy leading-edge, research-driven AI.
AICC delivers this mission through its Transformer Programme (providing up to 20 days of fully funded AI support, with 108 SMEs currently engaged), skills development (260 postgraduate scholars enrolled, 106 professionals trained), ecosystem building (16 events delivered, connecting local businesses with the global AI community) and research excellence (£15.5m+ in new collaborative R&D projects secured).
Together, CARL and AICC strengthen Northern Ireland’s AI ecosystem by fostering joint industry-academia projects and promoting ethical and responsible AI practices.
Research
Developing AI solutions locally to compete globally.
The CARL Innovation Centre of Excellence serves as a dynamic, industry-facing hub, supporting the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world impact. It offers agile access to expertise and knowledge, supporting the application of advanced AI algorithms and analytics in industrial and commercial settings for the benefit of Northern Ireland industry.
The collaborative approach allows industry professionals to work alongside researchers to accelerate translation of research to industry and gain hands-on experience in terms of what AI-driven data analytics can do for companies. This is strengthened by sectoral innovation partnerships through regional clusters and supporting collaborative research and development.
AICC enhances this research-to-market pipeline through its forthcoming Responsible AI Hub and AI-focused High-Performance Computing node, ARTI, commissioned in July 2025.
Impact
Driving regional impact through innovation and collaboration.
Professor Brian Meenan, Associate Dean Research and Innovation, and Senior Responsible Officer for CADRIC, said:
“CARL will drive the collaborative multi-disciplinary innovation needed to translate the benefits of Ulster University’s leading-edge research in Neuro-AI and data science into economic, environmental, and social benefits for Northern Ireland with particular emphasis in the Derry City & Strabane District Council area. It aims to establish the region as one of the best places in the world to design, develop and launch innovative services and products relating to subjects such as bio-inspired AI and Cognitive Robotics.”
David Crozier CBE, Director of AICC, said:
“The partnership between AICC and CARL represents the full spectrum of AI innovation in Northern Ireland. Whilst CARL pushes the boundaries of what’s possible through advanced research, AICC ensures that innovation reaches every corner of our economy. Together, we’re building an ecosystem where cutting-edge research meets practical application, where SMEs can access world-class AI expertise, and where Northern Ireland is recognised globally as a leader in responsible, impactful AI adoption.”
Key outcomes
- Unlocking businesses’ potential to compete globally by developing innovative AI solutions to increase competitiveness.
- Research engineer support available through the Industrial Engagement Fund to help businesses rapidly prototype AI-enabled solutions for their research and development challenges.
- A facility for workforce development offering continuous professional development and upskilling opportunities for Northern Ireland’s evolving talent base.
- Direct support for over 100 SMEs through AICC’s Transformer Programme, delivering 4,720 hours of hands-on assistance and measurable productivity improvements.
260 postgraduate scholars building Northern Ireland’s AI talent pipeline for the future.
