Sheffield Hallam University and Guildhawk partner to make AI translation more human-like

Guildhawk | Oct 29, 2024 4:36:00 PM

Guildhawk and Sheffield Hallam University are proud to announce the commencement of an exciting new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to make machine translation sound more human.

This pioneering collaboration aims to revolutionise the way datasets are labelled for training machine learning models, with a particular focus on multilingual data in regulated sectors such as medical, heavy engineering, and safety.

Addressing the risks of inadequate AI data labelling

Inadequate or biased labelling can lead to AI 'hallucinations' – generating incorrect or prejudiced responses – which can have dire consequences in high-stakes industries.

This partnership seeks to address these challenges head-on by developing innovative methods to improve machine translation processes, thereby enhancing the reliability and integrity of AI systems.

Pioneering research in data labelling and machine learning

Bringing together the academic prowess of Sheffield Hallam University with the industry expertise of Guildhawk, the project is at the forefront of research and development, leveraging cutting-edge advancements in human-supervised machine learning, and language processing.

  • Learning from the project will be applied operationally to enhance results generated by GAI Translate™, the machine translation software developed by Guildhawk.

Professor Alex Shenfield spearheads academic research team

Leading the academic team is Professor Alex Shenfield, a renowned expert in machine learning at Sheffield Hallam University.

As the research theme lead for digital connectivity and technology at the National Centre for Excellence in Food Engineering, Professor Shenfield brings a wealth of experience in applying machine learning to real-world problems.

His current research projects span a variety of sectors, demonstrating his commitment to innovation and the practical application of AI.

Alex shenfield and Shash Upadhyay

"This partnership with Guildhawk represents a thrilling leap forward in our quest to harness the true potential of machine translation. By refining the way we label multilingual datasets, we're not just improving technology; we're building bridges between languages and industries. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for AI reliability and safety that will resonate across sectors and borders. This is where the future of responsible AI begins."

Professor Alex Shenfield, Sheffield Hallam University

Guildhawk welcomes Shashwat Upadhyay as new machine learning engineer

Joining from Guildhawk is Shashwat Upadhyay, the new Machine Learning Engineer who will play a pivotal role in this KTP.

Upadhyay's expertise in data science and machine learning, combined with his recent academic achievements, including an MSc in Data Science from the University of Bristol, positions him perfectly to contribute to the development of state-of-the-art language models (LLMs) for this project.

“Data is the fuel that powers AI engines. It is vital that only high-quality data is fed into those engines because training AI on sub-standard datasets results in potentially dangerous responses being generated, especially in high-risk industries. High-quality translated datasets are scarce, so being able to label data more accurately and efficiently is crucial to the success of AI models. I’m thrilled to be working on this innovation with a great team.”

Shashwat Upadhyay, Guildhawk 

Second innovative collaboration supported by Innovate UK

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership is the second collaboration between Sheffield Hallam University and Guildhawk and is supported by Innovate UK.

It underscores the commitment of both organisations and the UK government to drive forward technological advancements and apply them to industry-specific challenges.

SHU KTP group photo

"At Guildhawk, we believe that language is at the centre of global innovation. This collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University is a testament to our vision of a world where technology understands every language flawlessly. By joining forces with the brilliant minds at Sheffield Hallam, we are not only creating smarter AI, we are crafting a future where technology empowers every voice, in every language, across every industry. This is more than a partnership; it's a commitment to excellence and inclusivity in the digital age."

Jurga Zilinskiene MBE, CEO of Guildhawk.

Sheffield Hallam University and Guildhawk are confident that the outcomes of this KTP will not only benefit the partners involved but also set new global standards for AI training and application across specific industries where data quality is vital.

About Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield Hallam University is renowned for its practical approach to education, particularly in the fields of computer science and business. The university offers a range of programs that emphasise hands-on learning and real-world applications. For instance, their MSc in Artificial Intelligence includes work placements and live projects with industry partners, allowing students to apply AI techniques to solve real-world problems.

About Guildhawk

Guildhawk is a leader in multilingual technology, known for its innovative and secure translation software, GAI Translate™. This software combines machine translation with expert human-in-the-loop review, ensuring fast, accurate, and secure translations. Guildhawk excels in organising and labelling domain-specific datasets to train machine learning models, which is crucial for achieving high-quality AI outputs.