The University of Essex and Chelmsford-based software company Objective IT have launched a second Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to create new products incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The latest partnership aims to embed Natural Language Processing, a strand of AI, into Objective IT’s range of analytics products, with the project being led by Husam Quteineh, a Masters student at the university of Essex and KTP Associate.

It aims to build on the success of the previous partnership which resulted in Robert Komara, now head of data insight at Objective IT, being named Best Associate in the university’s 2017 KTP awards.

The new partnership is intended to support the launch of the first of two new “conversational” analytics tools – data analytics services able to interact with people through language via an email bot that will automatically respond to customer queries.

Husam said: “The KTP programme makes it possible to explore and expand my knowledge academically while enjoying working in the IT industry and gaining expertise in solving real world problems head on.”

Lara Fox, director at Objective IT added: “We’re very excited to be adding Natural Language Processing technology to our expanding predictive analytics offering through a second KTP with the University of Essex.

“Successful collaboration with the University allows us to bring knowledge of new technologies to market more efficiently, as we have academic expertise to complement our innovations in business.”

Objective IT, which is a Microsoft Gold partner, launched its data insight services during its first KTP, using machine learning and artificial intelligence to help businesses measure marketing strategy effectiveness.