Aston University and AlixPartners launch AI research platform to transform business intelligence

Students at Aston University have developed a powerful AI research platform that is now in operation at global consulting firm, AlixPartners.

The platform demonstrates the potential of generative AI to revolutionise business intelligence by dramatically reducing research time while improving the depth and accuracy of insights.

The system uses advanced generative AI and agentic frameworks to enable users to rapidly gather, assess, and analyse data across industries and companies. Initially focused on the retail sector, the system creates and manages comprehensive databases by aggregating and analysing information from diverse sources including articles, PDFs, and thousands of web documents. It incorporates sophisticated confidence and accuracy scoring mechanisms to ensure the quality and reliability of results. 

Developed by Masters students at the University’s Design Factory Birmingham the two organisations believe that it marks a significant milestone in the application of generative AI to accelerate business intelligence and research activities.

The project is the first formal collaboration between the University and the company. The University has close ties with AlixPartners and several senior consultants at the firm are Aston graduates, and they have helped shape the project and mentor students. 

Professor Kate Sugden, deputy dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science, said: "This initiative provided our MSc students with invaluable hands-on experience in emerging technologies while working alongside industry experts. They gained practical expertise in agentic AI and prompt engineering to automate and enhance research processes. 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."

Salah Ebrahimpour, project software developer said: "This experience was a game-changer. Collaborating with industry leaders on a cutting-edge GenAI tool taught me the value of teamwork and innovation in driving meaningful change. It demonstrated how academic research can directly address real business challenges."

Anusha Kumar who recently graduated from the University added: "The collaboration highlighted how powerful partnerships between academia and industry can be. 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."

Following the success of the initial collaboration, both parties are now working to extend and expand their partnership to drive new opportunities and apply the research to additional sectors. 

Get in touch with SuperTech if you would like to explore collaboration opportunities with Aston University.