Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies Research Institute (AIDTRI) research groups
Research at the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies Research Institute (AIDTRI) is organised through a set of focused, interdisciplinary research groups.
These groups bring together academic staff, postgraduate researchers, and external collaborators to advance cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, spanning theory, systems, and real-world deployment.
Each research group is led by an experienced academic and aligned with the Institute’s overarching mission to deliver rigorous, responsible, and impactful research.
Core methods and applications of AI (CORE-AI)
Lead: Professor Sandra Ortega-Martorell
This group advances foundational and translational AI methods that enable understanding, simulation, and intervention in complex real-world systems.
Research spans causal AI, hybrid and structured machine learning, transformer-based architectures, and large language models, with a strong emphasis on explanation, counterfactual reasoning, and decision-making under uncertainty.
A key focus is translating methodological advances into deployable system-level tools, including digital twins, AI virtual assistants, and decision-support systems for domains characterised by complexity, dynamics, and data constraints.
Conservation AI
Lead: Professor Paul Fergus
The Conservation AI group focuses on the design, evaluation, and deployment of AI systems that support biodiversity monitoring, wildlife conservation, and environmental sustainability.
Research addresses real-world operational constraints such as data scarcity, uncertainty, domain shift, limited connectivity, and time-critical decision-making.
The group develops end-to-end, deployable AI systems using camera traps, drones, and distributed sensor networks, working closely with conservation organisations and international partners to deliver measurable environmental impact.
Robotics and autonomous systems (RAS)
Lead: Dr Denis Reilly
This group focuses on the design, development, and deployment of autonomous and intelligent robotic systems capable of operating in dynamic and complex environments.
Research includes human–robot interaction, machine perception, motion planning, and the integration of robotics with artificial intelligence and extended reality.
Current work spans the use of large language models and emotion recognition for HRI, soft robotics, SLAM algorithms, and digital-twin-based simulation, with applications in health and social care, education, assistive technologies, and service robotics.
Theory, algorithms and complexity
Lead: Dr Paul C. Bell
The Theory, Algorithms, and Complexity group advances the mathematical foundations of computer science. Its research includes the design and analysis of provably correct and efficient algorithms, formal methods for software and hardware verification, and the study of algorithmic complexity and computability.
Areas of interest span graph theory, combinatorics, automata and formal languages, stochastic and dynamical systems, foundations of AI and machine learning, computational biology, and reachability problems, providing rigorous underpinnings for modern digital technologies.
Networking and distributed systems
Lead: Dr Michael Mackay
This group conducts research on next-generation network architectures, intelligent communication systems, and distributed computing environments.
It addresses challenges in mobile and wireless networking, SDN/SDWN, dynamic spectrum access, IoT, and cloud–edge systems, with a focus on secure, energy-efficient, and resilient digital infrastructure.
The group designs and evaluates scalable protocols and adaptive systems that support high-performance connectivity and real-time data exchange across sectors such as smart cities, transport, healthcare, and energy.
Web 4.0 and human-centric digital continuum
Lead: Professor Gyu Myoung Lee
This group explores future Internet architectures that integrate data, network, and AI layers to enable decentralised, intelligent, and adaptive digital ecosystems.
Research focuses on secure and interoperable platforms for human-centric services, spatial web experiences, and distributed intelligence.
Topics include dynamic resource management, semantic interoperability, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies such as quantum communication and sensing.
Immersive human-centred intelligence (iHCI)
Lead: Dr Hoshang Kolivand
The iHCI group investigates the next generation of immersive and human-centred intelligent technologies. Research spans augmented and virtual reality, advanced human–computer interaction, and AI-driven adaptive systems.
The group also explores brain–computer interfaces, wearable and sensor technologies, intelligent robotics enhanced through AR/VR, and emerging areas such as animal–computer interaction.
Its work aims to improve learning, wellbeing, accessibility, and decision-making through immersive, intelligent system design.
Cyber security and resilient systems
Lead: Dr Max Hashem Eiza
This group advances secure and resilient digital infrastructures across areas including Zero Trust architectures, IoT and cloud/edge systems, O-RAN and 6G security, vehicular networks, post-quantum cryptography, and privacy-preserving protocols.
Research also addresses cybersecurity challenges associated with large language models and GPT-based systems, real-time decision support for security operations, intrusion detection, malware analysis, and blockchain-enabled security.
The group works closely with academic, industrial, and governmental partners to deliver deployable solutions, policy guidance, and decision-support tools.