From pioneering hand-identification forensic tools, to trustworthy machine learning, Lancaster University’s cutting-edge AI research was showcased to delegates at a major international Summit.

Professor Hossein Rahmani and Dr Phillip Benachour, of Lancaster University’s School of Computing and Communications, attended the India AI Impact Summit 2026 as part of a UK delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, and organised through the British Council, to highlight the wide-ranging strength of Lancaster AI research and expertise.

Among the delegates taking an interest in Lancaster’s work was the UK Deputy Prime Minister who spoke with Professor Rahmani.

“It was a great experience to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and to be part of such an energetic and timely discussion about the future of AI,” said Professor Rahmani. "What stood out to me was the shared commitment across academia, government and industry to making sure AI is developed and used responsibly, with real benefits for society.

“In my conversation with David Lammy, I spoke about how closely the Summit’s priorities connect with what we are doing at Lancaster. Through our DSAIL, MARS, and the School of Computing and Communications, we’re bringing together strong mathematical foundations and practical AI research to tackle real-world challenges.

“The Summit was a valuable opportunity to show how our work fits into the wider international effort to build AI that is not only innovative, but also safe, inclusive and impactful.”

The delegation spotlighted Lancaster’s pioneering H-Unique forensics research into hand anatomy biometrics to develop new tools to ensure justice can be served in the most heinous of criminal cases.

Other research aspects highlighted included trustworthy AI in machine learning, computer vision, and Natural Language Processing, robust microscopy image analysis and privacy protection when using large language models.

A suite of AI-relevant post-graduate taught programmes, which offer 14-week industry placements were also highlighted.

Lancaster’s broad range of AI activity encompasses the University’s Data Science and AI Institute, which aims to set the global standard for a truly interdisciplinary approach to contemporary data-driven research challenges, as well as MARS: Mathematics for AI in Real-World Systems, a UK centre for research and teaching in mathematics underpinning applications of Artificial Intelligence which is backed by £13 million Research England funding.

Overall the Lancaster AI showcase targeted:

• Safe, Trusted and Inclusive AI – advancing responsible AI that supports equitable access, ethical deployment, and societal empowerment.
• AI for Economic and Social Good – exploring how AI solutions drive sustainable economic growth, industrial innovation, and public service delivery.
• Human Skills Development – fostering AI education, training, and workforce readiness globally.

Dr Phillip Benachour said: “The India Impact AI Summit was a great opportunity to highlight how our research at Lancaster informs our teaching, equipping students with the fundamental skills and practical expertise needed to succeed in this rapidly evolving field.”

Dr Deborah Costain, Faculty of Science and Technology Associate Dean for Postgraduate Studies, said: “With recognised global strength in Data Science and AI, we welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the India AI Impact Summit, bringing our research leadership and teaching excellence to advance responsible, inclusive AI with real-world impact through international collaboration.”