BNY and The University of Manchester Launch the Future of Work Alliance, Focused on Responsible Use and Application of Human-Led AI

Manchester, May 21, 2026 - BNY (NYSE: BNY), a global financial services company, and The University of Manchester today announced the launch of the Future of Work Alliance, a five-year, £5 million initiative focused on advancing how human-led digital transformation can be integrated responsibly into large, data-intensive organizations in the AI era.

The Future of Work Alliance combines BNY's demonstrable experience deploying AI at scale with The University of Manchester's world-leading research, with deep strengths in applied AI, data science and inclusive innovation. The initiative, enabled by the University's innovation arm - Unit M - will be delivered through the Alliance Manchester Business School and will focus on designing, testing and scaling new models for the responsible use and application of AI.

Centered in Manchester, where BNY has operated for more than two decades, the Alliance will use real operational challenges to connect academic research with day-to-day business needs. The work is intended to provide hands-on, real-world problem solving that accelerates innovation and capability building, informing how to scale AI responsibly over time. In parallel, executive and professional education programs will support leadership, governance and change management skills needed for human-led AI adoption.

The Future of Work Alliance will focus on five connected areas:

• BNY Research Challenge Program: live operational challenges converted into structured, student-led academic projects delivering practical insight and solutions.
• Alliance Manchester Business School Executive Education: bespoke academic programs designed to equip BNY leaders to excel in an AI-enabled organization.
• Postgraduate Internships: multi-week placements giving high-performing students hands-on experience within BNY's Manchester office.
• Scholarships and an Endowed Chair: support for five AI-focused scholarships and a BNY-endowed Chair to provide long-term academic leadership via the University's Challenge Accepted campaign.
• Keynote Lecture Series: convening academic and industry leaders to shape debate on the future workforce and responsible AI.

"One of the challenges for organizations is how AI can be scaled in complex environments," said Alejandro Perez, Chief Operating Officer of BNY. "The Future of Work Alliance connects our operational reality with The University of Manchester's world-class research and talent pipeline to build the foundations for human-led digital transformation at scale."

The Future of Work Alliance strengthens Manchester's role as a center for responsible human-led AI innovation shaped around people, skills and work, while establishing a model with global relevance, intended to deliver meaningful outcomes to support students, leaders and organizations as AI becomes increasingly embedded in day-to-day work.

"AI is transforming work globally, and this alliance brings our highly talented researchers, students and our civic mission together with BNY's experience of deploying AI responsibly at scale," said Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester. "The Alliance shows how universities and industry can work together to build trusted approaches to AI, develop future skills and deliver long-term economic and social value for Manchester and beyond."

"BNY's £5 million initiative with The University of Manchester is excellent news for Manchester and the wider region, building on the firm's long-standing contribution to the local economy," said Lord Stockwood, Minister for Investment, Department for Business and Trade. "The Future of Work Alliance is a clear example of our Industrial Strategy in action - bringing together a global financial leader and a top UK university to drive AI innovation, develop future skills and strengthen regional growth, helping secure the UK's position as a leading destination for investment."

"BNY's story in Manchester is one of the best examples of what long-term investment in a place looks like. Having arrived in 2005, they have grown into one of the city's largest financial services employers," said Joe Manning, Managing Director of Invest Manchester. "BNY's growing presence, alongside The University of Manchester's research and talent, makes this an exciting initiative for the city. Manchester is the most AI-ready city in the UK, and this alliance will bring together two institutions with the experience and credibility to tackle the questions around AI that businesses are facing right now."

The University of Manchester initiative builds on BNY's wider engagement with universities, including with Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Central Florida, reflecting a broader effort to connect academic research and talent with real-world business challenges.

Media Contact:

BNY
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About BNY

BNY is a global financial services platforms company at the heart of the world's capital markets. For more than 240 years BNY has partnered alongside clients, using its expertise and platforms to help them operate more efficiently and accelerate growth. Today BNY serves over 90% of Fortune 100 companies and nearly all the top 100 banks globally. BNY supports governments in funding local projects and works with over 90% of the top 100 pension plans to safeguard investments for millions of individuals. As of March 31, 2026, BNY oversees $59.4 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $2.1 trillion in assets under management.

BNY is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BNY). Headquartered in New York City, BNY has been named among Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators. Additional information is available on https://www.bny.com. Follow on LinkedIn or visit the BNY Newsroom for the latest company news.

About The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is recognized globally for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. Part of the Russell Group, we're ranked 35th in the QS World University Rankings, 2025 (6th in the UK) and 46th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2025.

The power of our social and environmental impact has been recognized on a global scale as the only university in the top ten in both the QS World University Sustainability Rankings and Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, for our contribution towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our university is a powerhouse of research and discovery; 26 Nobel laureates are among our former staff and students, and we were ranked fifth for research power - the quality and scale of research and impact - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2021.

Ranked 20th most international university in the world according to Times Higher Education (2025), our community includes more than 46,000 students, 12,800 staff and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries, working together to tackle the world's biggest challenges.

We're one of the most popular institutions in the UK for undergraduate applications, according to UCAS, and were the most targeted university by the UK's leading employers in 2025/2026 (The Graduate Market). Learn more at https://www.manchester.ac.uk.

About Unit M

In October 2024, the University of Manchester launched Unit M, its dedicated innovation arm. Unit M's mission is to unlock the full innovation potential of the University by making the institution's world-class research, innovation assets and talent more accessible to all, and by developing new capabilities to help solve the real-world challenges of businesses, policymakers, and the public.

Unit M is a front door to The University of Manchester's world-famous talent, ideas and resources - one of the world's great universities in one of the world's most exciting cities. The team is multidisciplinary - bringing perspectives from inside and outside the University - and dedicated to making things happen.

Learn more: https://www.unit-m.co.uk

About Alliance Manchester Business School

Alliance Manchester Business School is a leading international business school at The University of Manchester, with a strong global reputation for research, education and business engagement. In the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2026, the School is ranked 5th in the UK, 15th in Europe and 49th globally, reflecting its strength in leadership education and career outcomes. Alliance Manchester Business School holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, a distinction achieved by only a small number of business schools worldwide and works with organisations across sectors to support long-term, sustainable value creation.

Learn more at https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/