New funding for researchers to develop trustworthy clinical AI for assessing brain activity

UWE Bristol researchers have received funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to help bring their innovative brain-monitoring AI technology closer to real-world use.

Their project, MED-SHED, is one of just 48 selected across the UK to receive support through UKRI’s Proof of Concept programme, which helps researchers turn breakthrough ideas into businesses or services to improve lives.

Led by Dr David Western, the team has developed advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) models that can interpret brain activity through EEGs with accuracy that meets or exceeds that of human experts.

EEG or electroencephalography is a non-invasive method for recording brain activity and is a vital tool for diagnosing and monitoring neurological conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injuries. However, its full potential in clinical practice is currently limited by a significant shortage of highly trained interpreters, along with variability in human interpretation and the inherent complexity of the data. This workforce crisis was highlighted by the Association of British Neurologists in 2020.

The UWE Bristol project addresses these challenges by using recent, groundbreaking advances in AI for clinical EEG classification. The team has achieved state-of-the-art accuracy, significantly exceeding what was previously thought possible and performing as well as, or better than, human experts when tested on the most widely used clinical EEG research dataset.

Now the team are seeking to translate this research into clinical practice, to use real NHS data, and to explore a social enterprise model – such as a Community Interest Company (CIC) – to ensure that the technology is developed and deployed in a way that prioritises public benefit, transparency and trust.

Dr Western said: “This project is timely given the growing societal burden of neurological conditions, the documented interpreter shortage, the rapid advancements in AI, and the increasing focus on responsible AI development and secure health data environments. By focusing on validation and establishing a trustworthy route to market, this project will de-risk the clinical translation of our innovative AI technology.”

The proposed work will lead to significant benefits for patients and healthcare providers. Potential impacts include improved accuracy and efficiency in EEG interpretation, leading to faster diagnosis, better treatment decisions, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes. Addressing the interpreter shortage can also lead to wider accessibility of EEG monitoring, particularly in critical care settings, enabling earlier detection of serious conditions.

Professor Charlotte Deane, UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Research Commercialisation Executive Champion, added: “These projects are a powerful demonstration of the UK’s talent for turning cutting-edge research into real-world solutions.

“From health and sustainability to quantum and creative technologies, they reflect the extraordinary breadth of innovation being nurtured across the UK’s research base.

“UKRI’s new proof of concept programme is all about helping researchers take that critical next step toward commercialisation, ensuring that bold ideas are not just published but put into practice where they can deliver tangible impact.

“I’m excited to see how these diverse and dynamic projects progress.”

Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “UK universities are renowned for world-class research, but we must do more to encourage and support the experts behind it to bring their discoveries to market – building companies, driving growth and helping to improve people’s lives.

“From simpler ways of diagnosing illnesses to AI tools plotting accessible routes, we are giving promising projects the early support that can help them get off the ground, benefitting us all and growing our economy.”