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I am a Partner at Boult with a background across electrical, electro-mechanical and computing, which aligns perfectly with my work in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector on machine learning, image processing and their application across a range of engineering disciplines.
I have a particular interest in image processing and AI, which stems from my undergraduate degree in engineering science at Oxford University. As part of the course I was able to specialise to a significant degree in information engineering. This side of engineering really caught my imagination because of its applicability in fascinating areas such as video compression, medical image analysis and computer vision. This later extended into study in the area of neural network analysis of the EEG and eventually a PhD in image processing for illumination invariant face recognition at the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing at the University of Surrey.
AI clients are great to work with because they do not face quite the same barriers to entry as industrial clients. There is no need for manufacturing facilities or distributors and so clients can take a great idea to commercialisation far more rapidly. Presently, my AI clients are mostly start-ups. I support them with the full range of general patent advice, but predominately drafting and prosecution work. My main area of specialism is signal processing – taking real world data and using it to learn about and/or control an object or process.
With recent advances in computing power and the availability of big data, the ability to use AI algorithms for practical applications has been unleashed. I have worked extensively across a range of computer vision applications, from motion capture to creating the perfect slice of toast. I have also defended AI patents before the EPO’s Opposition Divisions and Boards of Appeal, such as a vision-based collision avoidance system for UAVs.
Looking forward, I am particularly interested in the ability of AI to generate media. There are certain fundamental limitations on the creativity of an AI system and so the first area generative AI will become mainstream is video creation such as “deep fakes”. I am intrigued to see to what extent AI experts will be able to introduce some real aspect of creativity within AI-generated media. I also see an increasing amount of AI work crossing over with more “traditional” industries, such as aircraft, medical equipment, composite material design and process inspection.
