We also launched our first book, marking the beginning of impactful outreach activities in schools and wider education communities. Looking ahead to 2025, we aim to build on these achievements by strengthening partnerships, promoting diversity and inclusion in research, and deepening our outreach efforts. Here’s to a prosperous 2025!

APRIL’s First Annual Summit Success!

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to our First Annual Summit this December!

The turnout was amazing and brought together a vibrant and diverse community of researchers, industry experts, and policymakers from across the AI and electronics landscape. Across the two days, we enjoyed a fantastic line-up of keynote talks, insightful discussions on industry challenges, and a lively speed networking session that fostered collaboration and innovation. Another highlight was the brilliant engagement during our Panel, followed by the Pillar-led workshops which sparked creativity and forward-thinking solutions.

It was a productive and engaging event where academics and industry were given the opportunity to collaborate and network. Now, we will focus on reviewing the challenges highlighted and the feedback gathered to develop an action plan going forward for the Hub. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates and news in the New Year!

Outreach Updates

Introducing APRIL and the Tower of Techport!

We are thrilled to officially announce our new children’s book, APRIL and the Tower of Techport developed in collaboration with author and illustrator Ramya Julian. This project represents a significant effort by our team to create exciting, inclusive and accessible resources for young audiences. With rhyming stories, engaging graphics, dyslexic-friendly design, and elements of sign language, the book aims to inspire and educate.

APRIL and the Tower of Techport

‘APRIL, the brilliant AI robot, lives in Techport, a city powered by incredible technology and vibrant ideas. As New Year’s Eve approaches, the Microchip Guardians ask APRIL to help them build a dazzling tower that will light up Techport for the New Year! Soon, APRIL and the Microchip Guardians create a marvel unlike anything Techport has ever seen. But when the city’s power source fails, it’s up to APRIL’s imagination – and a little teamwork – to save the day, and the New Year!’

Over 1,500 copies have been sent to schools all across Edinburgh for Christmas! We look forward to visiting schools in 2025 for some interactive book readings and activities.

If your school, library or museum is interested in receiving some copies then please register your interest here. 

Santhosh commented: ‘This experience at Portobello High School was a powerful reminder of why we, as educators and professionals, must step out of our labs and offices to engage with the community. Together, we can inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers, ensuring a bright future for STEM.’

Exciting Opportunity Alert: We’re Hiring!

Are you passionate about AI and Electronics? We’re hiring for multiple positions across key pillars of our research and development initiatives. Check out the opportunities below:

Pillar 2
📍 Research Fellow in AI for Electron Device Design

Pillar 3
📍 Research Associate in AI for Circuits and Systems Design Automation

Pillar 4
📍 Research Fellow in AI for Electronics Testing & Verification Automation

📍 Research Associate in AI for Electronics Testing & Verification Automation

Why join us?
💡 Be part of groundbreaking projects.
🌐 Collaborate with leading experts in AI and electronics.
📈 Grow your career while contributing to transformative technologies.
👉 Don’t miss out on these opportunities to make a real impact!

Conferences

Here’s some fantastic news: the conference steering committee announced that Memrisys 2025 will take place in Edinburgh!

The meeting was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the UK's AI ecosystem and explore how the APRIL Hub can contribute to impactful research and innovation.We’re excited to continue the dialogue and strengthen collaborations across the community!

Sign up to our Lunch and Learns!

Our Lunch and Learns have officially begun!

Our first session was hosted by Dr Varun Ojha from Newcastle University who discussed the topic of ‘Monitoring, Recovery and Assurance of the Edge AI Model and Data Quality’. You can read more here: ojhavk.github.io

If you would like to be automatically invited to all future ‘Lunch and Learns’, please sign up here. 

Welcoming New Team Members

Dr Cristian Sestito, Pillar Three Researcher

Cristian Sestito has just finished his time as a Research Associate in Embedded System Design at the Centre for Electronics Frontiers here at the University of Edinburgh. Cristian received his BSc and MSc degree from University of Calabria in Italy, both in Electronic Engineering, and later his PhD in Information and Communication Technologies in 2023, focusing on Convolutional Neural Networks and their implementation on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA). In 2021/2022, Cristian was a Visiting Scholar at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, working on neural networks’ compression. His research interests include FPGA design, digital ASIC design, energy-efficient hardware architectures for AI, software simulators for neuromorphic AI. In his free time, he enjoys taking walks to explore historical sites and landscapes or relaxing with his favourite TV series.

Dr Atish Dixit, Pillar One Researcher

Before joining APRIL, Atish was a PDRA at the School of Informatics here at the University of Edinburgh where he researched multi-agent reinforcement learning and its applications in multi-robotics. Atish completed his PhD at Heriot-Watt University in 2023, focusing on computationally efficient AI frameworks for reservoir management. He also holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s in Mathematical Modelling, with research experience in industries like automotive and oil & gas. In his free time, Atish enjoys hiking in the Highlands, boxing, meditating, and recently, learning Sanskrit.

Dr Chandrabhan Kushwah, Pillar One Researcher

Prior to joining us in APRIL, Chandrabhan contributed to the field of Neuromorphic systems for AI applications at the University of Manchester’s Microelectronics Design Lab. His career has included major contributions to the H2020 CResPace project, where he integrated an adaptive cardiorespiratory implantable wireless pacemaker system. Before that, he focused on bio-inspired VLSI design, working with the University of York and ARM Research. His work with IBM involved designing SRAM in advanced CMOS and FinFET technologies. He received his PhD in 2015 from the Indian Institute of Technology Indore. During his doctoral studies, he earned the prestigious IBM PhD Fellowship award and secured a US patent for his groundbreaking research. His research interests are broad and interdisciplinary, including Neuromorphic systems to advance AI technologies,Leveraging AI to innovate in electronic device creation, and Human-AI co-design for next-gen computing chips. In his spare time, Chandrabhan can be found hitting the gym, playing league cricket, enjoying team sports, and traveling with friends, he seeks to experience the diversity and vibrancy of the world around him.