Bradford’s AI output gains knockout recognition

Bradford is the UK’s third-placed institution for AI education, according to a study.

The University of Bradford enrolled 325 students for AI during the 2022/23 academic year, in data compiled by laptop and technology retailer Currys.

Bradford’s School of Management runs the MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics which was designed in response to a shortage of AI and data analytics specialists in the UK.

Supporting the economy

The University will award 135 scholarships worth £10,000 each in MSc Applied AI and Data Analytics to full-time and part-time students by March 2025. The scholarship’s funding is part of a £1.7m investment by Office for Students (OfS), Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Office for Artificial Intelligence and industry contributions.

The University of Bradford is helping to address digital skills gaps that will support the local, regional and national economy.

Emma Suchland, PriceWaterhouseCooper (PwC)’s new Regional Market Lead for the North, has praised the AI skills base output at the University.

The professional services network of firms opened an office in Bradford in 2019.

Speaking to Insider Media, she said: "I hadn't fully appreciated the depth of skills coming out of the University of Bradford.

“Its AI skills are already important and will only become more so in the future. In the context of competitiveness and employment costs, upskilling teams and our clients to use AI to deliver more at pace is going to be a real advantage.”

How boxing can embrace AI

This growing importance of AI is not limited to business and industry; it can also play a transformative role in sports, such as boxing, according to a University of Bradford academic.  

Dr Kamran Mahroof, Programme leader for MSc Applied AI and Data Analytics, and his PhD student, Saima Sammad, make the case for boxing’s potential use of AI.

They propose that the use of AI in critical aspects, such as judges' scoring, could eliminate controversy in determining the outcomes of boxing matches.

Dr Mahroof, who himself has experience in combat sports, as a black-belt in taekwondo, writes: “Rather than replacing human judgement, AI can supplement it, bringing much needed consistency to a sport fraught with interpretation. Technology doesn’t replace the human element, it supports it.

“Imagine video reviews used sparingly, only for game-changing moments like knockdowns, disputed low blows, or to help resolve a draw decision.

“Here’s how technology could reshape boxing. Sensors and AI can analyse the impact and accuracy of each punch, not just counting the number of punches thrown. By evaluating the force and placement of each punch, AI can provide a more objective measure of a fighter's effectiveness in each round.

"AI could also transform instant replays. Key moments, like knockdowns or potential fouls, could be reviewed quickly without disrupting the fight’s rhythm.

“Artificial intelligence could also assist scoring and track subtle details that might be missed by human judges. Algorithms trained on historical data could suggest scores based on patterns and metrics, acting as a guide for judges.

"Finally, blockchain technology, where a record of decisions is maintained across linked computers, could log and secure judges’ scores, creating a transparent record for post-fight analysis.

“Boxing has always been about honour, grit and glory. But to maintain its place in the modern sports landscape, it might be time to embrace change. AI can help boxing’s rich traditions remain, while bringing fairness to the forefront. With the right tools, boxing can reclaim its integrity, one fair decision at a time.”