Alan Turing Institute told to overhaul with new defence focus
The UK’s top AI institute, the Alan Turing Institute (ATI), is facing a major shake-up. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle demands it shift focus sharply to defence and national security.
Kyle’s letter, seen by The Guardian, slams ATI’s current plans. He calls for defence and security projects to become the “core” of ATI’s work. This sidelines ATI’s existing focus on health and the environment. 
Kyle also signals leadership changes at the institute, warning its executives lack the sector expertise needed for this new mission.
“Moving forward, defence and national security projects should form a core of ATI’s activities, and relationships with the UK’s security, defence, and intelligence communities should be strengthened accordingly,” Kyle wrote.
“While we acknowledge the success of the current leadership in delivering reform at the institute during a difficult period, careful consideration should be given to the importance of an executive team who possesses a relevant background and sector knowledge to lead this transition.”
ATI’s chair is Doug Gurr, ex-head of Amazon UK. The institute employs around 440 staff but is currently restructuring, with a redundancy process underway. About 20% of staff say ATI’s credibility is now at “serious jeopardy.”
The government recently locked in £100 million in funding for ATI over five years. But Kyle warns this deal could be up for review next year. He confirms the UK will keep funding national security AI at current levels for at least three years and boost the number of defence staff inside ATI.
University of Southampton’s Dame Wendy Hall, who co-chaired a government AI review, slammed the changes. She says ATI would no longer be a true national AI institute if it narrows into defence alone.
“If the institute focuses on defence and security it ceases to be a national institute on AI,” Hall said.
“It’s not broad enough. If the government wants an AI institute that does defence and security then it should just call it that.”
The move follows a rebrand of the government’s AI Safety Institute as the AI Security Institute earlier this year.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology called these changes a “natural next step” and insists they’ll ensure ATI “delivers real value for money” while playing a “key role in safeguarding our national security.”
ATI has been contacted for comment.
