The University of Edinburgh has unveiled a new multi-million pound initiative to create a generative AI laboratory (GAIL). 

The initiative is expected to allow the university to “push the forefront of generative AI” as well as “benefit society and stimulate economic growth” by powering applications in areas including robotics, drug discovery, medical diagnoses, semiconductor development and tackling climate change. 

GAIL’s researchers will also work in partnership with the university’s Centre for Technomoral Futures to address the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks necessary to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI, the university said. 

“GAIL builds on world-class research at the School of Informatics in AI and machine learning, which has been applied to a variety of fields such as healthcare, fintech and sustainability," said Professor Helen Hastie, head of the university’s School of Informatics.

“The school is well placed to be an anchor...