Aston University in Birmingham, UK, has announced that a new artificial intelligence research platform, developed by its Master’s students, is now operational at global consulting firm AlixPartners. This innovative tool aims to streamline business intelligence research, significantly reducing the time needed while enhancing the depth and accuracy of insights delivered to consulting teams.
The collaboration marks the first formal partnership between Aston University and AlixPartners, a firm known for addressing complex business challenges across various sectors worldwide. The university’s approach emphasizes applied research, and the Design Factory Birmingham unit has served as a testing ground for prototypes and pilot collaborations with industry.
According to representatives from both institutions, the platform exemplifies how generative AI can evolve from experimental applications into essential components of daily research tasks crucial for client work. By integrating generative AI and agentic frameworks, the system can efficiently gather, assess, and analyze vast amounts of information across different sectors and companies.
Initially tailored for the retail sector, the tool aggregates data from diverse sources—ranging from articles and PDFs to thousands of online documents—all while implementing confidence and accuracy scoring mechanisms to ensure result quality. This strategic development allows consultants to concentrate on interpretation and decision-making, alleviating the repetitive, document-heavy workload typically associated with research.
Professor Kate Sugden, deputy dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Aston University, noted that the initiative offered Master’s students essential hands-on experience with emerging technologies while collaborating closely with industry experts. “They gained practical expertise in agentic AI and prompt engineering to automate and enhance research processes,” she stated. “The project also highlights the vital role of Aston University’s Design Factory Birmingham as a hub for supporting real-world applications of research and pilot testing with industry clients.”
This partnership not only aims to advance technology but also acts as a skills pipeline for students and graduates aspiring to work with AI in commercial environments. Notably, several senior consultants at AlixPartners are Aston graduates who contributed to shaping the project brief and mentoring the current student team.
Salah Ebrahimpour, a software developer involved in the project, expressed that the experience was transformative. “Collaborating with industry leaders on a cutting-edge GenAI tool taught me the value of teamwork and innovation in driving meaningful change,” he remarked. “It demonstrated how academic research can directly address real business challenges.”
Recent graduate Anusha Kumar also praised the swift progression from concept to live system. “The collaboration highlighted how powerful partnerships between academia and industry can be,” she said. “It was inspiring to witness the pace of innovation—transforming ideas into tangible outcomes within weeks. This project not only enhanced our technical understanding but also built our confidence in applying AI to solve real-world challenges.”
As the technological landscape continues to evolve, such collaborations serve as a critical nexus for innovation, equipping future professionals with the skills needed to navigate and excel in a rapidly changing environment. The advancements fostered by this partnership between Aston University and AlixPartners may set a precedent for future academic-industry collaborations, influencing how AI is leveraged across various sectors.
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