Secure AI-based Reasoning for Anomaly Detection (SARAD) is an AI-driven innovation designed to improve safety and trust in complex decision-making systems. The system identifies and addresses gaps in algorithmic reasoning, with the aim of making AI outcomes more explainable and robust for real-world applications across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare and finance.

Turning research into market insight

Initially, the SARAD project was rooted in technical, academically focused research. But as Tarek Gaber, Entrepreneurial Lead and Senior Lecturer at Salford, explained: “There is increasing demand from industry to adopt AI to improve efficiency, automate processes and build trust in AI outcomes. ICURe helped us shift our research to be more application-oriented, not just research for the sake of research.”

Through ICURe, the team engaged with industry leaders, customers and partners across the UK and internationally. These discussions enabled them to reshape the aims of their project and focus on where it could deliver the most impact.

We started with one idea, and after a few weeks of the programme, the idea was completely different – stronger, clearer and more convincing. ICURe really helped us define our pitch for a different audience: customers, partners and investors.

– Dr. Angel Jimenez-Aranda, co-PI and Associate Professor in Digital Transformation, University of Salford

The team gained direct market feedback from sectors including manufacturing, finance and energy. While security was appreciated, it was the solution’s explainability that stood out to stakeholders, particularly in helping operators understand the root causes of AI-driven decisions.

Support that builds capability and confidence

Mentoring, market engagement and expert advice provided through ICURe SURfACE gave the team a new level of confidence. They refined their value proposition, improved their pitch and shifted their sector focus to those that valued explainable AI.

We had the opportunity to talk to customers, integrators and partners, including the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, who helped us validate the technology with real-world datasets.

– Dr. Tarek Gaber, co-PI and Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security, University of Salford

The experience has had lasting effects beyond the SARAD project. “ICURe helped us reshape our current project and gave us the tools to apply commercial thinking to others we’re now developing,” Angel added.

Looking ahead

The SARAD team are now working towards building a minimum viable product and are aiming to apply to ICURe Explore. “We’re developing a secure and explainable anomaly detection solution that could improve production quality, reduce costs and enhance regulatory compliance,” Tarek explained.

For institutions like the University of Salford, where researchers often carry heavy teaching loads and have limited exposure to commercialisation pathways, ICURe SURfACE is helping unlock new potential.

If you’re part of a research team and curious about commercialising your innovation, get in touch via info@icureprogramme.com