A map of the AI for science landscape

Think tank Science Works has released a mapping of the organisations in the UK which are “built around AI-enabled science”.

The project is not intended as a “census” of research which is related to or facilitated by artificial intelligence, but rather a guide to the organisations – funders, research organisations and firms – operating in this space. The think tank is also keen for readers to submit corrections or new entries, noting that the current dataset may contain inaccuracies.

Alongside the maps and charts are some initial observations about how the AI for science (or AI4S) landscape is changing. First, a boom in new organisations – more than twice as many founded post-2020 as in the five years before. And the later wave of initiatives is said to be particularly heavy in fellowships, training programmes, and new networks or consortia.

In terms of funding, the UK government is found to play an outsize role in those organisations which themselves fund research, run facilities, deliver training, or set strategy. Venture capital plays a larger role in investing in models and tools, while philanthropic bodies (in particular Wellcome) are another important source of funds.

The maps also explore the regional spread of AI4S in the UK, observing that the majority of relevant organisations are in London, Oxford, and Cambridge: “69% of the 276 UK‑headquartered organisations and programmes, and 84% of the 116 companies and spinouts, with only 18 companies based elsewhere.”