AI in Innovation and Skills

Coventry University Group accelerates AI adoption and innovation across sectors. We work closely with industry, public services, businesses and communities to co-create practical, responsible AI solutions while developing the talent to deliver them.

Through initiatives such as the Electric Revolution Skills Hub, the AI Adoption Lab and the AI Skills Academy, we provide our regional and national workforce with hands-on support, strategic guidance and co-created learning experiences that bridge AI research and practical application, ensuring the West Midlands remains a strong and relevant hub for AI-driven innovation and growth.

Professor appointed Innovate UK BridgeAI Independent Scientific Advisor at The Alan Turing Institute

Professor James Brusey has been appointed as an Innovate UK BridgeAI Independent Scientific Advisor at The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national centre for data science and AI.

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AI Adoption Lab

Our AI Adoption Lab helps turn ideas into real-world solutions. As part of a wider research ecosystem, they give businesses and researchers access to test beds, AI evaluation tools, expert talent and advanced facilities - making it easier to develop, test, adopt and scale new technologies quickly.

Key features include:

• Cross-disciplinary and AI academic expertise
• Cutting-edge facilities and equipment
• Hands-on testing and validation of prototypes
• Expert coaching and mentorship
• Pathways for partners to achieve an MA in Applied Innovation while advancing their live AI projects

Our Research Centre for Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling stands as the central hub, bringing together electronics, Internet of Things, AI and Data Ethics and supercomputing resources, creating the ideal environment for developing AI-powered prototypes and solutions.

Our partnership models

The Expert-in-Residence programme provides on-demand guidance from AI and data science specialists, helping businesses shape strategy, solve technical challenges, and build internal capability without long-term commitments.

Through the Partner-in-Residence model, organisations can embed themselves more deeply within our ecosystem, co-locating with researchers to co-create solutions and accelerate adoption.

For longer-term transformation, our AI Knowledge Transfer Partnerships connect businesses with academic experts and skilled associates to deliver tailored AI innovation projects - ranging from short, intensive interventions to multi-year collaborations that build lasting capability.

These models ensure organisations can engage at the level that best matches their needs, from rapid problem-solving to sustained business transformation.

AI Skills Academy

Coventry University Group’s AI Skills Academy was set up in direct response to growing demand from industry and the public sector for accessible, impactful AI learning. Designed to support professionals across sectors such as energy, health, automotive and government, the Academy will offer hybrid, modular and bespoke courses and bootcamps aligned with The Alan Turing Institute’s AI Skills for Business Competency Framework.

We are also developing an AI skills assessment built on our Data-Driven Capability Pathways (DCP) and Frontier Tech software. This framework enables learners and organisations to evaluate capability across core AI topics and the surrounding disciplines that enable AI adoption, such as infrastructure and data science.

Using individual evaluation data, the Frontier Tech platform tailors learning pathways to each participant, identifying areas of strength and guiding learners toward reinforcing or advanced materials. This approach supports both individual development and strategic workforce planning, helping employers and educators align training with real-world needs.

Delivery is supported by virtual sandboxes and cloud platforms, with funding options ranging from government support to industry co-investment. Courses are co-designed with regional employers to ensure job relevance and progression, while insights from this work will also enhance the AI education we provide to our undergraduate and postgraduate learners.

Collaborating with the Hartree Centre to boost AI and supercomputing in the West Midlands

We are collaborating with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre to help businesses explore the incredible opportunities offered by technologies such as AI and supercomputing.

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Bridging the AI skills gap in the automotive sector

Our new research report highlights the growing demand for AI and digital skills in the UK automotive sector and explores practical ways to develop a highly-skilled, capable workforce through training, collaboration and industry–education alignment.

Access the report