The UK government has called for a significant shift in focus at the Alan Turing Institute, urging the national AI research body to prioritize defence and national security. Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has written to the institute's leadership, emphasizing the critical role of AI in bolstering the UK's national security. The letter suggests that future government funding will depend on the institute's ability to align with this new strategic direction.

Government's Strategic Shift

In his letter to the institute's chair, Dr. Douglas Gurr, Kyle highlighted the need for the Alan Turing Institute to reform its leadership and focus on defence, national security, and sovereign capabilities. This move aligns with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to increasing UK defence spending to 5% of national income by 2035, with a particular emphasis on AI technology. The institute, which was established in 2015 and received a £100m grant last year, is expected to strengthen its ties with the UK's security, defence, and intelligence communities.

Leadership and Structural Changes

The call for a strategic pivot comes amid ongoing restructuring at the institute, led by Chief Executive Jean Innes. The restructuring has faced criticism, with one in five staff expressing concerns about the institute's credibility. Kyle's letter indicates that leadership changes are necessary to realize the government's vision, suggesting that the current executive team may lack the relevant background to lead this transition effectively.

Debate Over Institute's National Role

The proposed shift in focus has sparked debate about the institute's role as a national AI research body. Critics, including Dame Wendy Hall, a prominent computer science professor, argue that a focus on defence and security could narrow the institute's scope, challenging its status as a national institute. The Alan Turing Institute has traditionally focused on AI and data science research in areas such as health and environmental sustainability, alongside national security.

Future Funding and Implications

The government has indicated that the institute's longer-term funding arrangement could be reviewed next year, with an increase in defence and national security staff embedded within the institute. This strategic shift reflects a broader government focus on national security within its AI strategy, as evidenced by the recent renaming of the AI Safety Institute to the AI Security Institute.