Minister demands defence-led overhaul of leading AI institute

The technology secretary has demanded an overhaul of the UK's leading artificial intelligence institute, calling for leadership changes and a switch in focus to defence and national security.

- Dan Milmo

Peter Kyle said it was clear further action was needed to ensure the government-backed Alan Turing Institute met its full potential.

In a letter to the ATI's chair, seen by the Guardian, Kyle said the institute should be changed to prioritise defence, national security and "sovereign capabilities" - a reference to nation states being able to control their own AI technology.

The call for new priorities implies a downgrading of the ATI's focus on health and the environment, two of the three core areas for the institute, alongside defence and security, under its "Turing 2.0" strategy.

"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.

Making clear that the Turing 2.0 strategy did not meet government requirements, Kyle indicated that he expected leadership changes at the institute.