In a landmark cross-disciplinary meeting, leading cancer genomic surgeons from University
Hospitals Birmingham (UHB)—Professor Andrew Beggs and Professor Shazad Ashraf—visited Birmingham City University’s (BCU) Digital Health Innovation Cluster to explore the clinical value of next-generation applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health. The session focused on the research domains of data-intensive genomics, advanced surgical vision, and immersive 3D analytics. They discussed setting up a long-term collaborative innovation initiative in the West Midlands focusing on world class research in these domains.
Showcasing Advanced AI and Visual Computing
The meeting opened with presentations by Professor Muhammad Bilal, Professor Manuel
Davila Delgado, and Professor Lukman Akanbi, who demonstrated BCU’s multidisciplinary
expertise in delivering AI solutions across industries. Their projects ranged from Waste
Optimization using Convex Programming to Big Data Building Information Modelling
(BIM), where Terabytes of data was harnessed to inform complex decisions in mega power
and distribution infrastructure projects.
“We’ve consistently shown how AI can address real-world challenges—whether by optimising waste management or processing terabytes of complex infrastructure data,” said Professor Bilal, a leading expert in applied AI at BCU. “Now we’re extending these capabilities to healthcare: from fetal imaging analytics and deep prescribing to surgical vision and care pathways optimisation informed by large language models (LLMs).”
Professor Delgado and Professor Akanbi expanded on the university’s 3D analytics and
immersive visual computing capabilities, which have broad applications in construction, rail
asset management, and clinical medicine.
“Our expertise in 3D analytics and immersive visualisation transitions naturally into surgical
contexts,” noted Professor Davila Delgado, an expert in immersive visual computing. “We
believe that the same robust pipelines refined in industrial settings can be readily adapted to
enhance surgical planning and execution, ultimately improving patient safety.”
Clinically Driven Challenges and Opportunities
Against this backdrop, Professor Andrew Beggs, a leader in genomic translational research
using Nanopore technologies, and Professor Shazad Ashraf, an experienced colorectal
surgeon with understanding of clinical “bottlenecks”, outlined the clinical needs, risks and
opportunities within the hospital setting.
“Our lab is generating some of the largest genomic datasets in the UK,” said Professor Beggs. “Leveraging large language models tailored to genomic analysis—and fusing these insights withadvanced computer vision—could revolutionise how we diagnose and treat patients. This is a transformative moment for cancer care.”
Professor Ashraf addressed the critical importance of AI in surgical vision, noting the
potential to improve outcomes in robotic and minimally invasive procedures to train the next
generation of surgeons and ensure high quality surgery is delivered for patient care:
“High-fidelity visualisation—such as displaying vasculature in real time or ensuring the correct surgical plane—is vital for preventing surgical errors,” said Ashraf. “One early ‘quick win’ is creating a secure regional video repository, where surgeons annotate footage in detail. This yields high-quality datasets that fuel next-generation surgical data science, auditing tools, and even patient-facing platforms.”
A Roadmap for Regional Excellence
During the meeting, the teams identified potential funding calls to turn these ideas into a
tangible roadmap for a cutting-edge Surgical Centre of Excellence in the West Midlands. A
major focus lies in expanding BCU’s technical capabilities while UHB clinicians guide medical device certification, clinical trials, and ethical compliance.
“The West Midlands is uniquely positioned to become a global hub of surgical data science and AI-driven clinical innovation,” said Professor Akanbi. “BCU will spearhead the technical
development, while UHB provides the necessary clinical insight, ensuring that our solutions meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and feasibility.”
In addition to forging closer ties between BCU and UHB, the meeting offered PhD students
at BCU an invaluable opportunity to connect with practicing clinicians and understand the
direct impact of their research on patient outcomes. Observing the vibrant dialogue between
academics and surgeons, students left feeling motivated about the real-world relevance of
their projects.
“Being able to present our work to Professors Beggs and Ashraf - and receiving immediate
feedback—was incredibly inspiring,” said Mahmood Alam in attendance. “It gave me a clear sense of purpose and a glimpse into how data science can truly transform patient outcomes.”
Paving the Way for Future AI-Enabled Healthcare
The successful visit underscored a shared vision: uniting the Digital Health Innovation
Cluster’s technological leadership at BCU with UHB’s clinical excellence to drive pioneering
research and practical innovation. Early-stage collaborations will centre on advanced surgical vision, data fusion techniques, and next-generation AI workflows - setting the stage for broader applications in genomic medicine, care pathway optimisation, and beyond.
“We’re confident that through this close partnership, we can deliver cutting-edge digital health solutions,” concluded Professor Bilal. “From personalised genomic data analysis to real-time computer vision in the operating theatre, the future of healthcare is at our doorstep - and Birmingham City University is ready to open it.”
With this remarkable convergence of expertise from different disciplines, the West Midlands
stands poised to become a leading incubator for AI-driven healthcare breakthroughs -
demonstrating how interdisciplinary collaboration and data-centric innovation can translate
into safer surgeries, more accurate diagnoses, and ultimately, better patient care for all.