Industry

The Bayes Centre connects industry partners — from global enterprises to early-stage start-ups. With world-leading academic expertise, cutting-edge technologies and an unmatched innovation network in Scotland, we help organisations unlock opportunities.

We work across all sectors, linking partners to excellence in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), mathematics, computing, engineering and the natural sciences. This industry–academic collaboration provides access to cutting-edge research, novel technologies and specialist facilities across the University of Edinburgh.

Bayes Centre multi-level office space with seating areas, spiral staircase, meeting pods, and people working.

The University of Edinburgh Strengths

in the UK for AI Research (CS Rankings 2024)

globally for Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026)

in Europe for AI, Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision
(CS Rankings 2024)

Meet our ecosystem

Bayes Centre Aerial View of building in city

Leading location for innovation and research

Situated at the heart of the University of Edinburgh campus, the Bayes Centre is adjacent to the School of Informatics and part of the College of Science and Engineering. Offering access to cutting-edge labs, multi-million-pound research initiatives and technical expertise. This prime location brings together experts from academia, industry and the public sector in data science and AI to tackle practical issues and advance their areas of expertise.

Bayes Centre Interior Building Communal Spaces

Legacy of leadership in AI

The University of Edinburgh is recognised as a global leader in industry, innovation and infrastructure, ranked first worldwide by Times Higher Education –and is the birthplace of Artificial Intelligence in Europe. AI has been part of the University’s history for more than six decades, beginning with the establishment of one of Europe’s first AI research groups in the 1960s. This legacy continues to shape and inspire our work today and will drive future innovation for years to come.

Bayes Centre Internal Office Aerial View

A hub of innovation

The Bayes Centre is one of six innovation hubs created in partnership with the UK and Scottish Government, the University of Edinburgh and Heriot Watt University to deliver a regional powerhouse for collaboration with industry partners in data driven innovation. The hubs include Edinburgh Futures Institute, Usher Institute, Easter Bush, National Robotarium and the Edinburgh International Data Facility.

£660m

£660m investment by the Edinburgh City and Region Deal to cement Edinburgh as the data capital of Europe, led by the University of Edinburgh.

Image of the Bayes Centre Supercomputer Centre

UK’s first national supercomputing centre

The University of Edinburgh is recognised as the first National Supercomputing Centre by the UK Government. EPCC, which operates the Advanced Computer Facility and houses the nation’s supercomputer, is based at the Bayes Centre and provides world-class supercomputing, data services and facilities for science and business.

£750m

The University of Edinburgh received a £750 million investment from the UK Government to build the nation's newest supercomputer.

Ways to work with us

Strategic partnerships & innovation labs

Collaborate with academics and technical experts on major challenges to drive innovation and growth. Our  Innovation Labs bring industry and researchers together to solve complex problems and deliver market-shaping solutions.

Collaborative projects

Short, high-impact projects tailored to your needs, using multi-disciplinary research expertise from students and researchers. We help scope the work and identify potential funding.

PhD placements, secondments & student projects

Engage a PhD researcher on a three- to four-year strategic project or arrange shorter placements and secondments to access specific expertise. Partner with MSc students on smaller research challenges in data science and AI. We welcome proposals from businesses, charities and public sector organisations.

Technical services & consultancy

Access specialist technical services and cutting edge research facilities to solve problems or advance your project. We also connect partners with the University’s consultancy opportunities for flexible, short- or long-term academic expertise.

Access to Expertise

We bring together academic research and industry expertise across Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Robotics, and Space & Satellites — a vibrant environment where ideas develop into practical solutions.

Explore opportunities

Artificial Intelligence

— With a world-leading reputation in AI, we combine industry and academic expertise to tackle complex challenges in robotics, automation, and digital technologies. Through the AI Accelerator, we support startups to harness AI and shape the future of the field.

Data Science

— Home to the Edinburgh International Data Facility, we work closely with The Data Lab and Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC), combining data capabilities with expertise in machine learning and cyber security to drive innovation.

Robotics

— Integrated with AI and data science, the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics leads work on robots that safely interact with humans across healthcare, renewable energy, and beyond. Our resident humanoid robot, Talos, stands at 1.75m tall and is utilised for research on multi-contact loco-manipulation.

Space & Satellites

— We use remote sensing to turn Earth observation data into practical insights for environmental management, agritech, and urban planning. Through Space Bridges with the UK Space Agency, we're building the talent pipeline for UK space innovation. Home to the Edinburgh Space Hub and Space Enterprise Lab.