Technology secretary demands national AI institute focus on defence

The UK's national institute for artificial intelligence (AI) is set for a major overhaul as Peter Kyle demands a “reformed focus” on defence. 

The technology secretary has written to The Alan Turing Institute (ATI), calling for the body to “prioritise defence, national security and sovereign capabilities”, with a new leadership team that “reflects” that focus.

In the letter, first reported by Politico, Kyle insisted “further action is needed to ensure the ATI meets its full potential."

He said: “Whilst acknowledging the ATI is an independent organisation, its current reliance on public funding means that it is imperative that this resource is being maximised and is delivering value for money for citizens.”

The change would narrow the institute’s “Turing 2.0” strategy, which targeted health and the environment as well as defence. 

Kyle called for a shake-up in ATI’s executive team, to ensure it “possesses a relevant background and sector knowledge to lead this transition”. 

He confirmed the institute “should continue to receive the funding needed to implement reforms and deliver Turing 2.0”, but suggested the proposals could lead to changes in future investment.

Last year the institute secured £100m from the government in a five-year funding deal, but the letter said the institute’s “longer-term funding arrangement” could be reviewed as early as next year. 

The letter said: “To ensure the ATI’s success, government will maintain its current level of R&D funding from national security and defence for the next three years, increasing the defence and national security staff embedded within the ATI, and provide refreshed high-quality research problems for the next funding period.”