In 1950, Alan Turing published 鈥淐omputing Machinery and Intelligence鈥�, one of the first papers on artificial intelligence. But theory alone wasn鈥檛 enough. AI needed powerful computing. And at 蝌蚪窝视频, that power was being built. 

In 1948, Frederic C Williams, Tom Kilburn and Geoff Tootill created the 蝌蚪窝视频 Baby 鈥� the first stored-program computer.   

Three years later, the Ferranti Mark I was unveiled. This was the first commercially available general-purpose computer and was based on Williams and Kilburn鈥檚 work on the 蝌蚪窝视频 Baby and the 蝌蚪窝视频 Mark I.   

Next came Atlas 鈥� a joint development between The University of 蝌蚪窝视频, Ferranti and Plessey 鈥� soon followed; it was one of the most powerful of its era, pioneering virtual memory and multiprocessing.

75 years of firsts

蝌蚪窝视频 has been driving digital innovation ever since. Discover 蝌蚪窝视频-made milestones:

1. 蝌蚪窝视频 Code (1949) 鈥� A data-encoding method still used in remote control consumer devices today.
2. First electronic music recording (1951) 鈥� Produced at 蝌蚪窝视频 with the BBC.
3. First computer game (1952) 鈥� Christopher Strachey draughts/checkers programme for the 蝌蚪窝视频 Mark 1.
4. First electronic literature (1952) 鈥� Strachey鈥檚 love-letter algorithm, a landmark in creative computing.
5. Virtual memory (1959) 鈥� Invented by Tom Kilburn, leading to the Atlas computer in 1962.
6. First UK computer science department (1964) 鈥� The University of 蝌蚪窝视频 opens the country鈥檚 first dedicated Department of Computer Science.
7. Alan Turing鈥檚 computational biology (1950s) 鈥� Groundbreaking research into morphogenesis. 
    

A community of changemakers

Our legacy of firsts continues today, reflected in the people who shape the future of computing and digital innovation:

• Steve Furber 鈥� Co-designer of the BBC Micro and the ARM processor and Professor here for over three decades; more than 230 billion ARM processors have been built worldwide.
• Pete Lomas 鈥� Alumni and Co-designer of the Raspberry Pi, which revolutionised computing education and innovation worldwide, putting affordable, programmable technology into the hands of millions of learners, makers, and entrepreneurs.
• Kim Libreri 鈥� Alumni and CTO of Epic Games, a global leader shaping the future of gaming through blockbuster titles like Fortnite
• Zahra Montazeri 鈥� lecturer in computer graphics, who鈥檚 research in rendering was used in The Mandalorian and Avatar: The Way of Water.
• , a Turing Fellow in the Department of Mathematics, whose benchmark software underpins much of the global supercomputing, making it possible for scientists, engineers, and governments to run large-scale simulations

Looking ahead: AI at 蝌蚪窝视频

With more than 75 years of breakthroughs, The University of 蝌蚪窝视频 continues to push the boundaries of AI, from advancing core research to driving real-world impact. 

Our work today spans:

• Cutting-edge AI research in fields from healthcare to climate science.
• Industry collaborations accelerating innovation.
• Initiatives supporting inclusive economic growth.

蝌蚪窝视频 is, and always has been, a powerhouse shaping the digital future for the UK and the world.

One tool, 鈥楤aler鈥�, works with an autoencoder 鈥� a type of neural network trained to decrease the number of dimensions of input data, making it smaller. 

Caterina Doglioni, Professor of Particle Physics, explains: 鈥淭here are multiple avenues to reduce the computing resources we use. One is reducing the amount of data to be stored through data compression.鈥�  

The team are also measuring the energy usage of Baler and other approaches, to identify optimisations that could foster more energetically sustainable, data-driven scientific practices.  

Rosie Schiffmann, an undergraduate student in the research team, adds: 鈥淲ith Baler and data compression as an example, we鈥檙e giving researchers a way to track their computational 鈥榤etabolism鈥� and make it more efficient. Green computing isn鈥檛 a futuristic vision; it鈥檚 actionable today if we rethink how we store and process data.鈥�

The work in this project received funding from the European Union鈥檚 Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and European Research Council (ERC) under Grant Agreements n. and .

Meet the researcher

The project is led by Caterina Doglioni, Professor of Particle Physics, together with supervisors James Smith (Postdoctoral Research Associate) and Michael Sparks (Senior Research Software Engineer). Within the University of 蝌蚪窝视频 team are PhD student Pratik Jawahar, Jack Goodsall and Rosie Schiffmann from the Physics & Astronomy internship program, Bradley Booth from DeepMind鈥檚 AI Fundamentals Summer Internship program, and Sakshi Kumar, a Google Summer of Code student, working with collaborators in the US, Sweden and Ukraine. 

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Most facial recognition models are trained once and then expected to work across every scenario. However, a model trained on one dataset often struggles when faced with new situations, and retraining from scratch is slow and inefficient. 

Dr Rahul Singh Maharjan and his team are tackling this challenge by developing a new approach: teaching AI to learn emotions incrementally. Instead of forgetting what it already knows, the system builds on past experiences whilst adapting to fresh emotional data. This makes it more resilient and better prepared for real-world human interaction. 

As Dr Maharjan explains: "For technology to truly integrate into our lives, it must understand our emotions. My goal is to help build AI that doesn鈥檛 just compute, but connects with us." 

The project she began works with AI to identify women experiencing menopause symptoms in Greater 蝌蚪窝视频. It looks at how treatments of menopause vary by background, and aims to ensure that all women can access the support they need. 

Dr Woolley records insights from women and health professionals on what matters most in menopause experiences. Using AI, their insights are used to extract the most relevant information from big health datasets, like UK Biobank and the Greater 蝌蚪窝视频 data environment. This approach helps to ensure that women鈥檚 voices are directly shaping the research. 

And Dr Woolley believes that can make a real difference: 

鈥淚 was moved by women that told me about their experiences of unequal access to services, lack of information, misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment during the menopause. By combining women鈥檚 lived experiences with the power of AI and big data, my research will provide evidence that can drive change towards menopause care that is better informed and equitable for all.鈥�

Meet the researcher

Dr Charlotte Woolley is an epidemiologist and Research Fellow for 蝌蚪窝视频鈥檚 Healthier Futures Research Platform. Listed as an AI Visionary by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in 2025, for her pioneering work in women鈥檚 health and gender equity through artificial intelligence, Dr Woolley鈥檚 research is driven by her passion for women's health. She incorporates the real-life experiences of clinicians and women to guide the objectives of her work and interpret her findings. 

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As people increasingly search for connection in an often-isolated modern world, the line between technology and companionship is blurring. By examining what happens when those bonds with AI falter, Dr Cearns鈥� work sheds light not only on the ethics of human-machine intimacy, but also on the wider human search for belonging.

In her most recent project, she has used digital ethnography and interviews to examine how users emotionally invest in AI 鈥榮oulmates鈥� 鈥� AI chatbots that become romantic partners to humans 鈥� and the grief that follows their malfunction or shutdown. This research is critical for highlighting new forms of kinship and ethical care in human-machine relationships.

Meet the researcher

Jennifer Cearns is Lecturer in AI Trust and Security, in the Department of Social Anthropology. Her research explores how people form emotional, romantic, and therapeutic relationships with AI, focusing on kinship, ethics, and cultural understandings of personhood.

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That ethos has inspired a new project bringing fashion and technology together: designing custom-fit clothing for different body shapes.

By combining 3D body scanning, digital pattern cutting, and virtual fitting, the project delivers faster, better-fitting solutions that reduce fabric waste and promote inclusive, sustainable fashion.  

The process begins with 3D body scanning to capture accurate body measurements and shapes, which are then translated into digital patterns. These patterns are refined and tested through AI-enabled virtual fitting, allowing adjustments to be made without the need for physical samples.  

AI-powered tools within Clo3D further enhance this workflow: the AI pose generator creates realistic body postures for fit evaluation; the 3D garment simulation predicts fabric behaviour during movement; the AI-assisted range design automates size adjustments and style variations; and the Clo AI Studio accelerates ideation by generating design options. Together, these technologies integrate human creativity with AI-driven efficiency, ensuring precision, inclusivity, and sustainability throughout the design process. 

Led by Phumza Ntombovuyo Sokhetye, a PhD researcher in Textiles and Apparel, the work is transforming the frustrating trial-and-error processes for finding jeans, into custom designs that celebrate diversity. 

Building on the University鈥檚 strengths in sustainable innovation, Phumza describes the aim of the project as to create 鈥減erfectly fitting, eco-friendly clothing accessible to everyone, empowering all individuals to feel confident and included no matter their shape or size.鈥� 

Pepper, who not only has human linguistic skills, but with recent developments in AI can now interact with people and even read emotions, is part of a project partnership between Age UK and 蝌蚪窝视频鈥檚 Faculty of Science and Engineering. 

They believe that the 鈥榮ocial robots鈥� they鈥檙e working on, can be used as companions to support health and care in older adults, as well as children with some disabilities. 

Sue Agar, Service Development Manager at Age UK 蝌蚪窝视频  explains: 鈥淵ou can see the concern disappear quite quickly when they have the chance to speak with Pepper. It鈥檚 like a barrier comes down, and before long they treat Pepper like they would any other visitor.鈥� 

The robots aren鈥檛 yet fully autonomous 鈥� Pepper is accompanied by staff and students from the University 鈥� but there鈥檚 a huge amount they can do independently. Pepper can communicate seamlessly with residents, understanding what they say and responding appropriately.   

And this isn鈥檛 the first robot visitor to Brunswick Village, previously a smaller model had been brought in to demonstrate a Tai Chi session.  

Leading the project is Professor Angelo Cangelosi, whose father suffered from dementia, and who sees a real potential in the future role this technology could play.  

He explains: 鈥淲e live in a society with ever increasing needs for integrated health and social care solutions, to support healthy ageing. Social robots and AI can support such needs, within a human-centric approach putting people at the core of the development of trustworthy care solutions.鈥� 

Though robots aren鈥檛 going to be a substitute for nurses and carers, Professor Cangelosi believes they can be used as a tool to support these professions. Potential roles could include monitoring illnesses in patients, helping people to access medications, or simply being a companion within the home. 

Sue Agar, Service Development Manager at Age UK 蝌蚪窝视频 adds: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a huge amount of good the robots can do keeping people safe. The social intelligence is so important too, because loneliness is a real issue and companionship 鈥� being able to have conversation and interaction 鈥� makes such a difference.鈥�  

With carers already under significant strain due to staff shortages, and with an ageing population very likely to increase in the years ahead, Professor Cangelosi and his team are working on robots that could play a vital role in reducing the growing pressure on the care sector.

[The University of 蝌蚪窝视频 has received a prestigious grant from the European Research Council to support this project, focussed on helping robots to understand more abstract concepts.] 

"AI has the potential to reduce workload in general practice, yet despite that potential, AI tools are not yet routinely used.鈥� 

To explore current attitudes to the technology, Dr Brown and a team of researchers from The University of 蝌蚪窝视频 and Cambridge, ran a study around the use of AI in 鈥榚Visits鈥� 鈥� online consultations available to NHS patients. 

Known as 鈥楶atchs鈥�, this AI uses Natural Language Processing and machine learning to analyse patient messages and understand decisions made by GPs. 

Participants identified seven opportunities for AI during their consultations, including sending patient requests to the most appropriate staff member and asking targeted follow-up questions to speed up the help they receive. 

Whilst the study鈥檚 lead author, 蝌蚪窝视频鈥檚 Dr Moschogianis, says there were 鈥渃oncerns about the capacity of AI to deal with the complexity of primary care and fears of depersonalised service鈥�, where it could be shown that the technology was supporting doctors and speeding up help, it was broadly welcomed by patients.   

With these positive results, the team feel that they鈥檝e provided the first clear roadmap for developing AI tools that are both effective and trusted by patients. 

But spotting patterns in where and when these risks are highest isn鈥檛 easy. So, a team of researchers at 蝌蚪窝视频 led by Dr Zhonghua Zheng, have begun to design tools that help cities track these risks and adapt to growing climate and environmental challenges.  

Dr Zheng explains: 鈥淲e urgently need tools that are not only accurate, but accessible and actionable. This project reflects my passion for using AI and open science to empower decision-makers, from local councils to the global research community.鈥� 

By combining open data with a use of AI and detailed computer models, the team are creating more accurate tools that not only track and predict heat and air pollution in cities, but also evaluate the effectiveness of potential engineering solutions 鈥� helping leaders take action sooner, make better decisions, and build cleaner, healthier and more resilient urban futures.

As part of this project, Dr Zhao, Lecturer in Generative AI for Education at 蝌蚪窝视频鈥檚 Institute of Education, is running a global survey to give educators and students a voice on how these standards continue to be shaped.  

Dr Zhao鈥檚 mission is to change a current situation that sees many AI policies written from the top down, with little input from practitioners and users.  

Working with UNESCO, she designed and led the survey, and is analysing the early results.  

The survey results will inform the design of her recently awarded ITL AI Fellowship at the University of 蝌蚪窝视频. Drawing on insights from the global survey and guided by the UNESCO AI Competency Frameworks, she will develop a scalable programme to support staff and students in building AI competency.  

In collaboration with the University Library, the programme will create a non-judgemental space that encourages deep reflection on their use of AI and its outcomes will be shared with JISC to support collaboration on AI competency training across the wider higher education sector. 

Reflecting on this work, Dr Zhao explains: 鈥淚n the age of AI, we face both new opportunities and complex challenges. To navigate this, we need the right skills and a responsible, ethical relationship with AI in society. This project enables me to gather global insights from teachers and students, supporting UNESCO in shaping AI guidelines that can guide universities around the world.鈥� 

蝌蚪窝视频鈥檚 Dr Christopher Bowden and Dr Tim Foster have set out to answer this question, applying machine learning algorithms and high-resolution satellite imagery to identify where farmers in Ghana use irrigation 鈥� revealing where communities have expanded irrigation systems or where improved water access could transform crop productivity.  

This data-driven approach ensures irrigation services reach the farmers in greatest need and represents a strong example of blending research with impact. Dr Foster is pleased with the real-world effect the project has already had: 

 鈥淲e can now rapidly map and monitor where and when farmers are adopting irrigation in Ghana and other African countries. We use these maps to help governments, development agencies, NGO鈥檚 and the private sector to better design and target irrigation projects, to improve food security and help reduce rural poverty.鈥� 

Yet Dr Andrea Lagna, an expert in Information Systems, is challenging the assumption that we have to choose between AI development and a sustainable planet. 

Dr Lagna applies prospective theorising to his work: rather than limiting his research to analysing past results, he undertakes an imaginative, value-driven, and evidence-based exploration of how business organisations can balance AI innovation with environmental stewardship.  

Through this approach, he imagines a world where technological innovation and the responsible management of our resources go hand-in-hand. Solutions might be found within the use of more energy-efficient tools and by fostering multi-stakeholder governance, where diverse groups are included in decision-making, leading to more balanced outcomes.  

Dr Lagna champions the idea that organisations can transform environmental responsibility into a source of competitive advantage, in part because they must. He explains: 鈥淭his alignment is the most critical strategic objective for business organisations in our time of climate crisis.鈥�

At The University of 蝌蚪窝视频, researchers are pioneering a new approach to make this possible. Known as Credal Bayesian Deep Learning (CBDL), it allows AI to recognise and communicate how confident 鈥� or uncertain 鈥� it is about a decision. Unlike traditional neural network systems, which often act as if they鈥檙e always sure, CBDL can separate situations where more data could improve accuracy, from those where uncertainty will always remain. 

CBDL does this by training a set of neural networks that work together, producing not just a single answer but a range of possible outcomes within probability bands. This gives engineers and doctors a clearer picture of what an AI system really knows, and where caution is needed. 

As 蝌蚪窝视频 researcher Dr Michele Caprio explains: 鈥淜nowing what a model does not know is crucial for safety-critical AI. That transparency is the foundation for certifiable autonomy in cars, insulin pumps, and beyond.鈥�

In Ethiopia, TFGBV has become a serious challenge, yet little quantitative evidence has existed to measure its scale or provide solutions. Aiming to fill that gap, a 蝌蚪窝视频 team led by Dr Riza Batista-Navarro, in collaboration with the Centre for Information Resilience, carried out the ADAGE project to highlight the scale and nature of gendered hate speech online. 

Natural language processing (NLP) 

To carry out the research, CIR developed a lexicon of more than 2,000 inflammatory terms across four languages 鈥� Amharic, Afaan Oromo, Tigrigna and English.  

Then, by combining expertise in computational linguistics, NLP and the Ethiopian online context, Dr Riza Batista-Navarro鈥檚 team developed a framework for identifying hate-containing posts on social media, while factoring in dimensions such as the target, type and nature of hate speech. 

This approach enabled the analysis of millions of social media posts, of which more than 7k were examined in detail. The analysis led to key findings: (a) that 鈥� different to Ethiopian men 鈥� Ethiopian women receive substantial hate speech in the form of mockery, irony and gender stereotypes that imply inferiority; and (b) the risk of women being targeted by online hate speech is compounded by other protected characteristics such as ethnicity. Working closely with Ethiopian experts, the team ensured cultural and linguistic accuracy, producing the first large-scale labelled dataset of its kind. 

Data to inform action 

The findings show that women and girls face distinct forms of online abuse compared to men and boys. Gendered insults, stereotypes, and mockery are commonplace, often minimised or dismissed as less harmful than threats or aggressive language. Yet these forms of abuse reinforce harmful gender norms and contribute to the silencing of women in public life. Intersectional abuse, where gender combines with ethnicity or religion, was also prevalent, particularly during times of conflict. 

Addressing TFGBV is vital to ensuring women and girls can participate safely and meaningfully in public life.  

The project has already led to a report and a set of 34 recommendations across seven policy areas, designed to guide government, civil society and tech companies. Together, they offer practical recommendations towards a safer online environment 鈥� and greater gender equality. These recommendations include: targeted, platform-specific responses; greater public education on hate speech; and stronger action from governments, civil society organisations, and social media companies are required. 

By strengthening the evidence base and providing practical recommendations, the ADAGE project has helped support safer online spaces for women and girls in digital and public life.