Held from 5 to 7 February 2026, AIchemy were proud to sponsor and take part in the Civic Data Cooperative Festival of Data, hosted by the Civic Data Cooperative at Liverpool’s ACC.
The Festival brought together schools, researchers, industry partners and families to celebrate the life-changing work being delivered through health data and artificial intelligence across the Liverpool City Region. It also marked the conclusion of the Civic Data Cooperative’s five-year programme of work – an important milestone for data-driven innovation in the region.
As part of the event, AIchemy Hub Manager, Dr Ben Alston delivered a talk titled, ‘Secret Hidden Data Driving AI & Robotic Scientists.’
The session explored something we often overlook when we talk about AI and robotics: the invisible, unspoken data that humans instinctively use every day. When a human performs a simple task, picking up a pipette, tightening a cap, transferring liquid, assembling equipment, we don’t consciously think about:
- How much pressure to apply
- The exact grip strength required
- The angle of approach
- The route our hand takes
- The tiny adjustments we make in response to resistance
But for a robot, none of this is obvious.
Every movement must be programmed. Every force measured. Every motion mapped. What feels intuitive to us becomes layers of structured data, force profiles, trajectory paths, tactile feedback, timing signals that must be captured, modelled and translated into code.
Explaining AI and robotic science outside of an academic setting is incredibly important. It challenges us to make complex ideas accessible, transparent and inspiring. Most importantly, it gives the next generation a chance to see themselves in these emerging fields, not just as users of technology, but as future scientists, engineers and innovators shaping it.
Take a look here for more information on the Festival of Data event!
We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
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