A profile of AIAI

In the early 1980s, the University of Edinburgh embarked on a technology transfer experiment. Ten years on, that experiment has proved a huge success. In 1984, the University took the novel step of establishing the Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute (AIAI) as the answer to the ever-growing request from industry for advanced information technology assistance to solve complex business problems. AIAI has been so successful in addressing business needs that many of its early clients from 10 years ago are still its clients today. It now employs about 20 technical staff and has an annual turnover just short of £1 million. Jim Howe, head of the University´s Department of AI, was instrumental in its establishment and retains his connection with AIAI as the chairman of its advisory board. Our mission is to help companies address key business needs through the introduction of AI and knowledge-based systems technologies. We work with our clients, rather than for them, providing them with the skills necessary to develop innovative solutions that meet complex business requirements. We not only provide solutions but, importantly, demonstrate how these solutions were reached-we literally transfer the technology