Princess Anne opens AI suite at firefighter college

The Princess Royal has officially opened a new AI facility, which will be used to help train firefighters.

The 'virtual reality' immersive technology suite has been created at the Fire Service College (FSC) in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate realistic fire scenarios, so training can be carried out in a safer environment.

The lab was launched by Princess Anne on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the college.

Capita, which runs the college, said students will still take part in live incident training, including tackling real fires.

The new lab allows future firefighters to also develop skills in a safe and controlled environment.

The technology used includes virtual reality headsets and haptic vests, which generate heat.

Clair Mowbray, director at the FSC, said firefighters at all experience levels would be "even better equipped to build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to respond to a range of complex emergency situations".

The Princess Royal also visited the Wings for Warriors, a professional pilot training charity for veterans, based at Gloucestershire Airport.

Mark Radcliffe, the charity's director, said Princess Anne was "very interested in the human side of what we do".

"She came along to open the veteran flying school, which is a new initiate we've set up at the airport," he said.

"She took the time to make us all feel interesting and she was genuinely interested in all out of individual stories, it was a huge honour."

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