New research agreement enhances UK-Sweden collaboration

Sweden’s largest research program, the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Imperial College London. This agreement aims to enhance collaboration in research and programs related to AI. The partnership will be centred around I-X, UK’s leading initiative in AI.  

In December 2024, WASP and Imperial College London formalized their commitment to expand and deepen their collaboration through a range of joint initiatives. These include a prestigious postdoctoral program for academic exchanges, and innovative activities designed to foster knowledge-sharing across borders.

Imperial College London’s AI initiative, I-X, and WASP will collaborate closely, creating a dynamic environment for research and education in AI, data science, and digital technologies. The WASP PhD students will be hosted at I-X.

“Partnering with world-renowned universities is crucial for pushing the boundaries of research. We are very excited to have Imperial College London join us as an international partner. Imperial’s exceptional standing in Europe and its famous AI initiative, I-X, will significantly enhance our collaborative endeavours,” says Bo Wahlberg, Chair of the WASP International Management Group and Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

“The synergetic collaboration with WASP partnering institutions is a unique strategic opportunity that will enhance the long-term UK-Sweden collaboration in research and translation for the benefit of society at large. I-X is ideally placed to nurture the partnership, focusing on research and academic programs related to AI, autonomous systems, and software,” says Thomas Parisini, Chair of Industrial Control and coordinator at Imperial of this flagship initiative.

Collaborative Innovation Hub at White City

A significant contributor to this agreement is Saab UK, which has had a long-standing collaboration with Imperial College and also manages its Innovation Network from an office at Imperial College’s campus in White City, London.

“The White City Deep Tech Campus where I-X is also located, houses other innovation initiatives such as NATO DIANA European regional Headquarters and UK Defence and Security Accelerator, DASA, and is an ideal collaboration space for industry, academia and government to drive innovation,” says Malin Svahn, VP Director of Innovation Programmes at Saab UK.

Sweden’s largest individual research program

WASP is by far the largest individual research program in Sweden. The program is financed by Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the ambition is to advance Sweden into an internationally leading position in the areas of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software. Collaborations with selected internationally leading universities is important in achieving this goal.

Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a world-leading university for science, technology, engineering, medicine and business (STEMB). I-X is Imperial’s strategic flagship artificial intelligence (AI) initiative, offering a co-located collaborative environment for research, education, and entrepreneurship across AI, data science and digital technologies based at the White City Deep Tech Campus.