Cold Banana & Bournemouth University KTP
6 min read
TLDR: What Are the Three Key Takeaways?
- Cold Banana and Bournemouth University have started a two year Knowledge Transfer Partnership focused on AI product development.
- Ammar Naich has joined Cold Banana as a Senior AI Engineer and KTP Associate, bringing expertise in AI research, machine learning, computer vision, deep learning, and intelligent sensing systems.
- The Cold Banana x Bournemouth University partnership is developing a cutting edge AI product for the construction industry, combining BU’s academic expertise with Cold Banana’s experience in enterprise digital solution development.
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership, or KTP, is a government funded programme that helps UK businesses access specialist knowledge, skills and expertise from universities and other knowledge bases.
A KTP brings together a business, a university or knowledge base, and a KTP Associate who works directly on the project.
The aim is to transfer specialist knowledge into the business while developing new products, services, processes or capabilities.
The world of AI development is a fast moving one, creating opportunities for businesses across almost every industry.
But taking AI and turning it into a useful, reliable and unique product isn’t a simple task! It requires the right combination of research, technical expertise, and commercial application.
That’s where the latest partnership between Cold Banana and Bournemouth University comes in.
Through a two year Knowledge Transfer Partnership, the two Bournemouth based organisations are combining academic expertise with practical enterprise experience to explore how AI can be applied to a real world challenge within the construction industry.
Here at Cold Banana we bring experience across enterprise Microsoft .NET tech, software engineering and emerging technologies, while Bournemouth University brings specialist academic knowledge and research expertise.
Ammar Naich connects the two.
As a KTP Associate and Senior AI Engineer at Cold Banana, Ammar is working alongside our team to research and develop practical AI applications for the construction industry.
The CB/BU KTP creates an opportunity to take specialist AI knowledge from an academic environment and apply it within a commercial software engineering setting.
That combination is particularly valuable when developing emerging AI technologies, where understanding what is technically possible needs to go hand in hand with understanding what will deliver genuine business value.
Ammar Naich is an AI and Machine Learning Engineer with a PhD in Computer Science from Queen Mary University of London.
His background covers:
- AI research
- Machine learning
- Software engineering
- Computer vision
- Deep learning
- Intelligent sensing systems
He currently works with Bournemouth University and Cold Banana as an AI Engineer and KTP Associate, focusing on practical AI solutions for real world applications.
His combination of academic research and software engineering experience gives Cold Banana additional specialist expertise as we explore new AI powered products!
As part of the Cold Banana / Bournemouth University Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Ammar is helping develop a cutting edge AI product for the construction industry.
This project gives us the opportunity to investigate how advanced AI can address the industry challenge of thousands of products appearing similar to the untrained eye; making it harder for buyers to purchase what they need unless they have construction industry experts on their team.
For us at Cold Banana, this will help our team further develop an understanding of AI product development and the capabilities of AI; testing what is possible and working out how emerging technology can become something genuinely useful in real world scenarios.
AI is only one part of the digital product landscape.
At Cold Banana, we bring together web development, app development, custom .NET solutions and more to create digital solutions around the business needs of each organisation we work with!
Our team works across complex digital projects, from enterprise websites and applications to bespoke software and AI solutions.
Want to discuss how we can transform your business’ ideas into digital reality? Get in touch!
What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership is a collaboration between a business, a university or knowledge base, and a KTP Associate.
The aim is to transfer specialist knowledge into a business while working on an innovative project with commercial or organisational potential.
How does a Knowledge Transfer Partnership work?
A business identifies a strategic challenge or opportunity where specialist knowledge could help.
The business then works with a university or knowledge base to develop the project and appoint a KTP Associate, who works directly with the organisation while receiving academic support from the partnered university.
Who is eligible for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
KTPs are designed to help UK businesses access specialist knowledge and expertise from universities and other knowledge bases.
Eligibility and funding depend on the specific KTP programme, project, and organisation. Businesses should check the current Innovate UK requirements before applying.
How long does a Knowledge Transfer Partnership last?
A KTP can run from one to three years, depending on the project.
The Cold Banana and Bournemouth University KTP is running for two years and focuses on AI and software engineering.
How is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership funded?
KTPs can receive government funding towards eligible project costs. Bournemouth University states that funding can cover up to 67% for small and medium sized businesses and up to 50% for large enterprise organisations.
What does the future of AI innovation look like?
The field of AI continues to evolve, creating new opportunities for businesses to solve real world problems, improve digital experiences, and develop exciting new products.
Our Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Bournemouth University gives us the opportunity to explore those possibilities alongside specialist academic expertise.
We’re excited to see where the project takes us over the next two years, and we’ll be sharing more as we go!