The Data Science research centre is a forum for shared thinking and interdisciplinary work by fusing available high-end facilities and expertise in a data science approach; creating the base and the opportunities for wider horizons in working collaboratively with the region and beyond and, communicating evidence-based research demonstrating enhanced societal impact. The effort has established a cross-subject research activity integrating expertise from biology, computer science, geosciences, psychology, sports, health and law etc and it is been developing over the last 4-5 years. AI, both from technical and social perspectives is becoming a current focus to address issues related to sustainability and other global challenges as per UN, SDGs but also to the democratisation of the application of AI in real-life. Our strategy is based on an international alliance of several instituttions, research centres and business including Business Connect (Innovation UK).