GBRX, the sector’s strategic innovation body, has begun work on developing the railway’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, outlining the actions required for the safe, effective, and scalable adoption of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance the system's performance for people.
The plan will put into motion the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan by defining the strategic approach for rail, focused on system enablers and targeted applications. It will identify and implement the sector enablers for AI technologies to improve operations, support safety, enable smarter infrastructure management, and enhance passenger experience.
GBRX has formed a team of renowned AI experts for this work, led by Dr Catriona Campbell MBE, EY’s UK&I Head of Artificial Intelligence and a leader in applied AI strategy. This team is comprised of an all-female team of experts, a first for the sector and the field.
Dr Campbell has implemented sector plans across health, financial services, defence, and public infrastructure. GBRX’s team of experts will connect rail’s operational complexity with established experiences and lessons from sibling industries.
“AI has the potential to transform how rail systems operate,”
said Dr Catriona Campbell.
“This is about applying technology in ways that are safe, structured, and scalable, so it makes a meaningful difference to operations, efficiency, and experience. GBRX is taking a pragmatic, delivery-focused approach to this challenge and I’m pleased to be supporting it.”
The AI strategy will focus on the practical conditions required for application and adoption in the real world. It will also address the system enablers needed to support adoption, including data integration, assurance, people skills, and integration with railway operations.
“Advanced technologies like AI will improve performance, safety, and efficiency, but only if the right conditions exist to deploy them effectively,” said Toufic Machnouk, Managing Director of GBRX. “I’m also incredibly pleased that the work to adopt the most advanced technology of our time is being led by an all-female team of renowned AI experts. Given the demographics of our sector, this is inspiring and demonstrates the opportunities that exist in this sector. Our focus is on convening the sector to build those enabling conditions into the operating environment.”
The AI Opportunities Action Plan for Rail will be published later this year.
Image credit: iStock
