BT has unveiled its Future Technology Research and Innovation (FTRI) programme at the BT Ireland Innovation Centre in Belfast, with an expected £45 million investment over the next five years.

The initiative is delivered in partnership with Ulster University and supported by Invest NI, and will create 60 new positions, many targeted at recent graduates and post-graduates.

The programme aims to advance industrial research in AI, data science, cybersecurity, IoT, and next-generation networks. It will focus on AI services for business, predictive analytics, and IoT and cyber solutions designed to maintain privacy, security, and trust in digital systems.

Paul Murnaghan, Northern Ireland director at BT, said: "Over the past eight years, the BT Ireland Innovation Centre has shown the power of collaboration between industry, academia and government. This renewed partnership builds on the strong foundations we’ve already established in Northern Ireland, accelerating that progress further by expanding research in AI, security and IoT. It will create new jobs and provide opportunities for both graduates and those looking to continue their studies."

Invest NI is providing £5.9 million through its Grant for R&D programme. Kieran Donoghue, Invest NI chief executive, commented: "This latest investment is an affirmation of confidence in Northern Ireland and is designed to drive forward the next generation of BT technology development in IoT systems, healthcare and cyber security."

As part of the programme, BT will expand the BTIIC Academy, offering MSc-level education in Artificial Intelligence and project-based learning modules in AI, IoT, and computer science.

The initiative will also foster innovation partnerships within the local technology community to develop new products and services in healthcare, transport, and software engineering.

Discover the full programme details and partnership insights in the complete story.