On Wednesday (8 November), Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, visited AI company One Big Circle’s Bristol office and officially opened the company’s new workspace.

One Big Circle is based at Bristole Temple Meads station, and develops and supplies systems to the railway industry, for example providing AI to detect scrap materials for Network Rail earlier this year and providing a vegetation-detection video system to Transport for Wales in 2020.

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) Rail Fellowship Programme co-ordinated the visit, which followed the firm’s recent expansion, with its workforce growing to thirty-five. One Big Circle develops what it calls “cutting-edge” software and hardware, specialising in Video, Computer Vision, and Artificial Intelligence. Its growth has provided new employment opportunities in Bristol and a platform for apprentices, graduates and returners.

During the visit, the Labour politician asked the company about its recent office and lab extension at Bristol Temple Meads and learned about the extent of its work in UK rail.

One Big Circle describes itself as “a pioneer in leveraging digital innovation and technology to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability in rail”. The company’s work fits with the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme’s objectives, which are to provide politicians with a better understanding of the railway industry’s challenges and opportunities.

For further information about The RIA Rail Fellowship Programme, visit its website.

Mayor of the West of England, Dan Norris, said: “I’m delighted to have opened One Big Circle’s new office in Bristol Temple Meads. We hear a lot about AI at the moment. How it can be used for good or evil. Here we can see a great application of a new technology that has the potential to really improve public services. “

“The skill and innovation at One Big Circle is keeping the West of England and rest of the country on track!”

Emily Kent, co-founder One Big Circle said, “It’s been a real pleasure to meet Dan and to have him officially open our newly extended offices in Bristol in front of all the team at One Big Circle and the RIA representatives. We were equally proud to be able to demonstrate the range of our innovative technology and Artificial Intelligence that’s been created here in collaboration with Network Rail and other key partners to help increase safety and performance across UK rail. We were also able to convey the exciting growth of the company and the range of local skills and backgrounds amongst our top-class team.”

“Being able to share One Big Circle’s progress with our Metro Mayor as part of the RIA Fellowship Programme helps advance the visibility of what SMEs can help deliver in support of the wider rail industry, and we’re proud to be delivering that nationally and internationally from Temple Meads.”

Elisa Rees-King, RIA Business Engagement Manager (Wales & Western) said: “Businesses like One Big Circle are at the front line of harnessing the potential of data and digital technology to drive a more efficient and greener railway. What’s more the company’s recent expansion is a reminder of how rail investment can create jobs, boost skills and improve economic growth both in Bristol and the wider city region.”