Manchester Met Secures Funding to Advance AI Health Innovations

Key Takeaways

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is set to enhance AI adoption and develop wearable health technologies with £12.8 million in funding.
The Grow AI initiative aims to aid local businesses in implementing AI solutions, while GM-WIC focuses on healthcare innovations.
This funding is part of the UK Government’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund, aimed at boosting regional innovation economies.

Investment in AI and Healthcare Innovation

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) will lead initiatives aimed at promoting AI and developing wearable health technologies, backed by £12.8 million from the UK Research and Innovation’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF). The university is launching two key projects: Grow AI and GM-WIC.

Grow AI intends to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence among Greater Manchester businesses. This initiative is a collaboration between MMU’s Centre for Enterprise and the University of Manchester’s Turing Innovation Catalyst, focusing on practical AI applications tailored to local industry needs.

Meanwhile, GM-WIC, spearheaded by Health Innovation Manchester and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), aims to create a unified platform for companies and researchers. This platform will facilitate the development, testing, and scaling of innovative wearable and remote monitoring technologies. The goal is to empower individuals to manage their health more effectively and enhance overall patient care.

Professor Steve Rothberg, provost and deputy vice-chancellor of MMU, emphasized the strong partnership between academia and local industry in Greater Manchester. “This exciting investment underlines what a special relationship we have in Greater Manchester between academic, business, and civic partners,” he stated. Rothberg highlighted that the initiatives will transform groundbreaking research into tangible impacts, supporting local businesses in creating innovative products and services that stimulate economic growth across the region.

The funding is part of a larger £50 million package distributed to five innovative projects by Innovation Greater Manchester (IGM), which encapsulates a collaboration of research-focused universities, local governments, and industry entities. The LIPF is a significant initiative of the UK Government, with an overall investment target of £500 million dedicated to enhancing regional innovation economies across the UK.

Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, echoed Rothberg’s sentiments, noting the importance of this investment for job creation and the regional economy. She stated, “Through this significant investment in five pioneering projects, we will translate world-class research and innovation into new jobs and opportunities that benefit Greater Manchester’s businesses and residents.” Craig acknowledged that by focusing on advanced materials, manufacturing, health innovation, and AI, the region can build on existing strengths, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and business growth.

This strategic investment aims not only to bolster the local economy but also to ensure that the benefits of such innovations are widely distributed among Greater Manchester’s communities. With initiatives targeting both the technological and health sectors, MMU and its partners are positioning the region as a leader in both AI adoption and health technology development.

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