şÚÁĎÉç has officially opened a new research centre which has the ethical, sustainable and trustworthy use of AI in society at its core.
The D²iCE [Data-Driven Computer Engineering] Research Centre was launched with a showcase of some of the research currently being undertaken.
D²iCE brings together more than 40 researchers across several UL faculties, harnessing expertise in AI, Machine Learning, Machine Vision, Natural Language Processing, Data Analytics, AI Governance, and immersive technologies.
Working in partnership with industry and government, the centre is focused on generating real-world impact through ethical, sustainable, and interdisciplinary AI research.
What is unique about the group is how it not only addresses the science of AI but also the social value of AI.
D²iCE is concerned with addressing real-world AI-driven opportunities as well as tackling pressing social and environmental challenges using AI. The unifying goal of the research centre is to create a research-informed foundation that empowers Ireland, Industry enterprises and society to leverage the power of AI in ways that speak to social and economic good.
The strategy of D2iCE is also immensely valuable because it creates new research synergies and development pathways that bring theory into practice in a timely way by working in partnership with industry. The launch was attended by industry leaders from across the region, along with UL’s Provost and Deputy President, and Vice President Research and Innovation and included a showcase of the research being undertaken.
Speaking at the launch UL Vice President Research and Innovation Professor Kevin Ryan said: “Here at UL, we are constantly pushing the boundaries, creating new discoveries and innovations, and it is all for the greater good. The impact that our research can have on society can never be underestimated. AI has become one of the most important socially, economically and environmentally impactful technologies of the current era.
“The D2iCE team is leading the way in research on AI and especially with a focus on human-centric and ethical AI. The success stories that they will share today are testament to their excellent community and shared vision to lead AI research in Ireland.
“We need to ensure that we prioritise research funding to allow Ireland to continue to grow as a home of excellent talent. Vibrant research centres which bring together researchers seeking to tackle common challenges are a feature of a research-led University.”
Director of D2iCE Professor Pepijn van de Ven from UL’s Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering said: “The D2iCE research centre brings together exceptional academics from across the University with diverse backgrounds. Importantly, the D2iCE membership includes researchers with extensive and ongoing careers in industry as well as clinical practice. The experience these members bring to our research is key in informing the relevance of our data-driven solutions to real industrial and societal problems.
“It is the combination of our expertise across AI, industrial applications, clinical practice and ethics and governance that will allow D2iCE to foster an international reputation for high-quality, ethical and responsible use of AI.”
D2iCE is unique in having its own High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure. HPC is seen as invaluable in supporting advanced research and innovation, helping to support Ireland’s innovation culture and driving economic development. ENDS
Deputy Director Associate Professor Ciaran Eising, also from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering added: “High-performance computing is the engine driving the AI revolution, transforming vast datasets and complex models into breakthroughs in machine learning, natural language processing, and scientific discovery. D2iCE stands out for many reasons, one of which is the fact that we have our own GPU-cluster for training our bespoke AI models.”
The centre has already generated almost €5 million in annual research income, positioning it as a national leader in responsible AI research. D2ICE researchers are currently working on projects across health, transport, sustainability, data governance, and smart cities with national and international partners.
Associate Professor Martin Cunneen from the Kemmy Business School is lead of the centre’s AI Governance and AI Ethics pillar.
He said: “I’m especially proud to see UL AI research and every D²iCE project embed AI governance and ethics, pushing beyond compliance toward measurable social good. I believe that how well we ethically and socially inform AI innovation today will determine humanity's AI future. The goal is to normalise human-centric AI innovation today.
“With UL research, Ireland is already leading in Trustworthy AI research and implementation, with D²iCE Research Centre at the forefront of that journey,” he added.