Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has effectively demanded an end to the Alan Turing Institute’s “Turing 2.0” strategy, stating it does not meet government requirements. Kyle’s letter calls for a comprehensive overhaul of ATI, emphasizing a dramatic reorientation towards defence and national security, alongside calls for new leadership to implement this revised vision for the UK’s leading AI institute.
This directive signals a clear shift in governmental expectations, moving away from the broader research agenda previously outlined in “Turing 2.0,” which included significant focus on health and the environment. The new emphasis is on developing “sovereign capabilities” in AI and strengthening ties with the UK’s security, defence, and intelligence communities.
Kyle’s call for new leadership at ATI, specifically those with a background in defence and national security, highlights the government’s desire for a fully aligned executive team to implement this new vision. This comes amidst ongoing internal restructuring and staff concerns about the institute’s credibility.
The government’s substantial financial commitment, including a £100 million five-year funding deal, provides significant leverage for these demands, with a potential review of this funding arrangement next year. This strategic realignment of ATI is a key component of a broader national effort to harness AI for defence and security, moving away from a purely safety-centric approach.