[2021] Research at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile networking led by Dr Paul Patras has helped shape a new spinout from the University of Edinburgh which promises to drastically reduce the need for expensive hardware and computing resources that 5G providers use to meet the service requirements of their customers. Image Net AI uses new AI and cloud computing techniques to provide real-time insights into network demand, telling mobile network operators exactly what services are being used at any location at any given moment, and in what amount. The company’s Microscope software will provide more accurate and timely information than what is currently available from expensive hardware installed at different points in a network, and will eliminate the need for expensive computing resources that are required to process raw data offline. Net AI, supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s commercialisation service, aims to capture a significant share of the global network automation market, which is forecast to be worth more than £20 billion by 2024. The company has been launched with significant seed investment from a group of venture funds. Dr Paul Patras, Associate Professor at the School of Informatics, is co-founder and CEO of Net AI. Entering into an exclusive licence agreement with the University of Edinburgh is a major steppingstone for Net AI and we are grateful for the support we received from numerous people and organisations, who helped us take the research out of the lab. Having a unique AI technology such as Microscope puts us on the world 5G map and will enable us to engage with confidence with leading players in this space. We now seek to attract top talent to join our team and accelerate market introduction. Ultimately, we aim to develop a market-leading platform for mobile traffic decomposition and deep analysis. Paul PatrasReader in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, co-founder and CEO of Net AI Dr Patras has been working with Edinburgh Innovations since 2019. He and his growing team have been supported to secure an ICURe grant to conduct a preliminary market validation and engage with potential customers, followed by a Scottish Enterprise High Growth Spinout grant to fund development of both the technology itself and a commercialisation pathway. Talented researchers at the University of Edinburgh are well placed to find solutions to tomorrow’s problems, and the growing demand for data is just such a challenge. This technology has great promise. We’re proud to support Dr Patras to take his discoveries from the lab into the marketplace, which will ultimately bring far-reaching benefits. Dr George BaxterEdinburgh Innovations CEO Related links Paul Patras personal page Edinburgh Innovations This article was published on 2024-03-18
