Defence and security firm Leonardo, which recently disclosed plans to establish 200 new job opportunities in Newcastle city centre, has unveiled a research partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Data, situated at Newcastle University.
Coinciding with the launch of its eighth UK site to enable digital transformation across its UK operations, this collaborative venture arises from a £30 million investment by the UK Government and Newcastle University, aimed at fostering data analytics skills within both the industry and public sectors.
The partnership’s initial focus will be on two data analytics projects. The first centres on federated machine learning—a technique enabling the training of AI models using decentralized data, thus avoiding the need to centralize or share sensitive information. This is particularly pertinent in the defence realm, where data often carries security or intellectual property constraints. By embracing federated learning, Leonardo can transcend these limitations and unlock new applications for its existing and forthcoming technologies.
The second project delves into smart data streaming. Leonardo, in collaboration with the National Innovation Centre for Data, aims to explore methods for automatically prioritizing vital insights gleaned from sensors, making them accessible across broader networks and integrated systems. Employing machine learning, smart data streaming ensures that the most crucial information takes precedence and is shared promptly.
Through the implementation of federated learning and smart data streaming, Leonardo will enhance its products and services and introduce new options in the “information age” for Armed Forces during operations.
This partnership’s groundwork was established through a workshop involving Leonardo, the National Innovation Centre for Data, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre (DAIC). DAIC, an entity established by Dstl to accelerate the strategic application of AI within the UK Ministry of Defence, provided insights to ensure the operational relevance of the Leonardo-National Innovation Centre for Data collaboration.
