The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, recently met with Cardiff University's leading digital innovators.
The visit showcased the best of the university's work in artificial intelligence, cyber security, and digital transformation.
Hosted by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Physical Sciences and Engineering, Professor Gavin Shaddick, the Secretary of State was joined by the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, and the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS.
Beginning with a visit to the Cyber Innovation Hub 's facilities at sbarc|spark, Ministers met with the hub's Director, Professor Pete Burnap, who talked about the strides made to accelerate the growth of the cyber security sector in South Wales, and the advancements university research has helped make possible in reducing the real-world impact of cyber-attacks across critical infrastructure.
Ministers then met with Dr Yulia Cherdantseva and Professor Alun Preece, Directors of the Hartree Centre Cardiff Hub , who discussed the Centre's mission to support SMEs across the Cardiff Capital Region and Western Gateway in adopting advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to boost productivity and innovation.
They also explored the university's extensive cyber research portfolio, which is informing new models for accelerating AI start-ups and skills development as part of the emerging AI Growth Zones, including the newly announced South Wales AI Growth Zone.
The Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, said: "Universities are critical in driving forward the digital economy because this is where it starts. It's the ideas here that then get turned into commercial businesses that start up, and the role that UK Government has to play is in helping those businesses to go from startup to scale up. And that's a big part of what we're announcing around the AI growth zone."
"I've always known that Cardiff University is a world leader in research and innovation, but what I've seen today is the breadth of what's happening here, around cyber, around AI, and around technology...the breadth of the innovation is really inspiring."
Ministers also had the opportunity to speak with representatives from three Cardiff University-connected spinouts and startups – Nisien.AI , Optimise-AI , and Pontiro – who are each harnessing the power of AI to address key societal and industrial challenges, including tackling online harms, using 'digital twinning' to improve building energy efficiency, and using AI to anonymise medical imaging data for early illness detection.
To finish off the visit, Ministers enjoyed an informal meet-and-greet with early-career researchers and apprentices contributing to the UK's future AI and cyber talent pipeline, gaining insights into their research, career aspirations, and experiences working at the forefront of emerging technologies.
The young people also shared reflections on what motivated them to pursue careers in science and technology, the highlights of their academic and industry journeys so far, and their views on how government and industry can further encourage young people to enter STEM fields.
-
Dr Yulia Cherdantseva, Professor Pete Burnap, and Professor Alun Preece with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall MP, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS, and Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP.
-
Secretary of State embraces Dr Yulia Cherdantseva
-
Ministers meet with start-ups and spinouts
-
Secretary of State meets with PhD students and apprentice.
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS said: "It's been inspirational being here at Cardiff University, talking to some of the staff and the students about the innovative ideas that they have for the future. But just as importantly, about how all the partnerships that the university is developing are helping them grasp some of the challenges that we're dealing with in society today [and] also come up with fantastic business ideas for the future.
"It's been good hearing about how government has to work really closely with academia, but also with industry, to make sure that those fantastic ideas find their way into the real world."
The visit highlighted Cardiff University's growing role as a national leader in cyber security, AI innovation, and skills development, spotlighting its support for new companies, developing future talent, and contributing to the region's economic transformation.
Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner said: "We've been delighted to share with the Ministers just a glimpse of the transformative AI and digital research and innovation taking place here at Cardiff University."
"We are driving the digital revolution in Wales across a wide variety of sectors, from online safety, to med tech, to renewable energy, and much more. Our researchers are taking great ideas out of the labs and into the world, creating products that will redefine our relationship with technology, and push the limits of what's possible for our future generations."
sbarc|spark hosts SPARK — the world's first social science research park — which unites 16 Cardiff University-led interdisciplinary research groups alongside more than 20 third-sector partners, who are working together to tackle local and global challenges.
It is also home to Cardiff Innovations, which accommodates more than 30 external organisations — from graduate entrepreneurs to NGOs and private sector companies — within its co-working spaces, lettable offices, and laboratory facilities.
