Thales launches cortAIx in the UK
Image courtesy Thales
This initiative will strengthen the AI ecosystem, serving the performance of sovereign advanced systems and sensors in the most challenging and constrained environments.
The new centre will reinforce Thales’ commitment to advancing the ethical and effective use of AI to address complex challenges. It will enhance domestic AI capability in line with the UK Prime Minister’s recent announcement of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
AI is transformational and pervasive, providing incredible new capabilities that are reshaping our daily lives. However, it can also be exploited by hostile actors, creating instability and undermining our society. The UK seeks to embrace the opportunities offered by AI, deploying it as a force for good to uncover valuable hidden insights in the vast swathes of data that surround us and leveraging it to provide security and deterrence against adversaries.
Thales Group’s global cortAIx initiative already employs over 600 AI and data specialists, being the first patent applicant in AI for critical systems in Europe with more than 200 patents filed to date. With more than 100 products integrating AI, the Group accelerates the development and deployment of trusted AI-powered systems in the most complex and challenging environments.
CortAIx in the UK is set to build on this legacy and serve as a focal point for AI innovation, bringing together advanced technology, talent and research to deliver AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable and operationally effective.
A centre for innovation and sovereign capabilities
Thales will leverage its deep expertise in defence and security to create AI solutions tailored to the UK’s specific operational needs, from the edge to the cloud.
CortAIx in the UK will develop AI solutions that will:
enhance decisionmaking for human operators, even under the most challenging and constrained circumstances
improve the performance of the most advanced systems
ensure AI is deployed ethically, securely, and transparently
Thales is looking to grow the UK’s AI talent pipeline. By the end of 2025, cortAIx in the UK will sustain 200 highly skilled AI and data specialist roles, supporting the UK Government’s vision for AI-driven growth and productivity.
The Group’s R&D already represents £4 billion annually, with a significant focus on AI. CortAIx in the UK will leverage this to:
identify and develop the most promising AI-based technologies
support the next generation of AI professionals
expand upskilling initiatives with academia and industry
ensure the UK retains a sovereign AI capability for national security and industrial growth
Thales is already deploying AI across multiple systems, including:
- Maritime Mine Countermeasures (French and UK programme MMCM) – AI-powered systems enabling ten times faster area coverage and four times faster detection and classification of mines than traditional crewed systems.
- Digital Crew Computer Vision System – Machine learning-driven object classification and prioritisation to enhance mission support and operational efficiency.
- Maritime Sensor Enhancement (MSET) contract – Enhancing data-driven analytics to maximise system availability and increase operational effectiveness at sea.
Phil Siveter, CEO of Thales UK, said: “CortAIx in the UK is a major step forward, building on the AI capabilities we already deploy and significantly accelerating the time needed to integrate AI into Thales systems. By aligning with the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, cortAIx in the UK will drive innovation, enhance skills, and sustain high-value jobs. It will champion the ethical deployment of AI in regulated environments, ensuring transparency and trust. This will have a very positive impact on the UK security and defence industry."
Strategic Partnership with Faculty AI
As part of the cortAIx launch in the UK, Thales is strengthening its partnership with Faculty AI, a specialist in AI safety and data science. Together, this partnership will:
- accelerate AI research exploitation in critical environments;
- industrialise deep learning for pattern analysis, starting with maritime security;
- enable AI deployment across defence, infrastructure and public sectors.
Marc Warner, CEO of Faculty AI, said: “We’ve used AI to solve frontline problems for a decade and are world-leading experts in this field. That’s why we’re trusted by defence clients as well as governments to apply AI safely and ethically to keep citizens safe. We're excited and proud to be working with Thales' cortAIx in the UK Centre on mission-critical AI systems.”
Thales recognises that a thriving AI ecosystem is essential for the UK to remain globally competitive.
Through cortAIx in the UK, Thales aims to build a collaborative AI network that brings together industry, academia, SMEs and government partners, towards creating a thriving AI ecosystem so essential for the UK to remain globally competitive.
