Civic Health Innovations Labs (CHIL)
Sector focus: Health, life sciences, data, AI and civic systems innovation
CHIL is an interdisciplinary research centre tackling global health challenges with civic data and technology while driving positive change for the people of the Liverpool City Region (LCR). It unites experts from academia, the NHS, local government, charities and industry to drive progressive data uses and responsible artificial intelligence in civil society, to protect and improve health systematically.
Delivering impact
- Built on Liverpool's 170+ years of public health innovation, CHIL brings together around £75m of cross-faculty research to turn civic data into actionable health insights and AI-driven interventions
- A new model for responsible AI in civil society, integrating AI engineering, health data science and real-world NHS and public service problem-solving
- Aligned with Engand's 10-Year Health Plan, accelerating the shifts towards greater prevention, community-based care, and digital-first, person-centred access to NHS and allied services
- Driving regional economic growth with CHI Zone, supporting 125+ businesses, training 1,140 people and creating at least 365 skilled jobs as part of a decade-long Life Sciences Innovation Zone vision.
Who it’s for
- Health and life sciences companies – access to health data science and AI expertise, including an AI design studio and evaluation testbed with end-user involvement, to accelerate and improve innovations
- NHS and public sector partners – actionable insights and AI tools for patients, care-providers and population health managers
- Start-ups and innovators – support to develop and scale data-driven health solutions, with mentoring, training, and connections to the regional ecosystem
- Researchers and academics – opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, from AI engineering to applied health sciences, translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact in a shared facility that is part of the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Data into Action programme
- Policy makers and civic leaders – systematic data insights for informed decision-making over health and care system strategy and operational tactics in a ‘learning system’ model.
What's next
- World’s first civic AI design studio dedicated to more preventive, personalised and equitable health and social care – responding to the Liverpool City Region Community Charter on Data and AI from CHIL’s Civic Data Cooperative legacy.
