- The feature examines how Sheffield’s emerging tech ecosystem is contributing to UK productivity’.
- The coverage highlights the translation of university research into real-world industrial and regional applications, and the development of the regional knowledge-intensive economy.
The University of Sheffield’s research footprint in the artificial intelligence landscape has been featured in an in-depth analysis by the Financial Times today. The article explores how the UK’s tech sector has expanded output by approximately 43 per cent this decade, outstripping growth in the wider economy. It highlights Sheffield as an emerging destination for deep tech innovation outside of London’s ‘Golden Triangle’.
Central to the feature is the work of Professor James Marshall, Director of the University's Centre for Machine Intelligence (CMI). Professor Marshall’s research into bio-inspired AI—specifically reverse-engineering the neural structures of insect brains—is being utilised to develop autonomous systems with advanced spatial awareness.
This fundamental research, which has transitioned from University labs into industry applications through University spinout Opteran, allows robots to operate on low-power silicon chips without relying on constant cloud connectivity. Within the year, these insect-inspired autonomous systems are expected to deploy at the UK’s Sellafield nuclear site to map radiation and inspect hazardous environments.
'We want to develop our homegrown capacity to compete in AI internationally,' Professor Marshall told the Financial Times. 'This is very much the beginning.'
Contributing to regional tech innovation
The feature contextualises this research within Sheffield's broader industrial evolution. Once a crucible of traditional manufacturing, the city is building an ‘Innovation Spine’—a central district bookended by Sheffield’s universities designed to incubate knowledge-intensive start-ups and retain technical talent in the region.
Data from the University underscores this activity, revealing that commercial research has generated 42 deep-tech spinout companies since 2020, compared to 11 between 2015 and 2019.
Professor Marshall noted the rapid pace of change in the local landscape, adding: 'Ten years ago it looked like a wasteland—it was hard to find people in tech. The networks were not there. In the last three years, down to 18 months, things have taken off.'
By linking academic research with the region’s engineering heritage, the University aims to help ensure that the economic benefits of the AI economy are distributed nationally.
Additional Information
- Read the full article on FT.com: Can the IT sector solve the UK's growth problem? (Subscription required)
- About the Centre for Machine Intelligence: Established as an interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence, the CMI brings together experts from across faculties to advance AI research, education, and innovation. Read the recently launched CMI Strategy 2026.