In a significant move, the UK's Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, has directed the Alan Turing Institute, the national AI and data science institute, to pivot its research focus heavily towards defence and national security. This directive comes with a clear warning: non-compliance could lead to substantial funding cuts and a re-evaluation of its long-term financial arrangements.
UK Government Demands AI Institute Prioritise Defence
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has issued a stark warning to the Alan Turing Institute, the UK's leading artificial intelligence and data science research body. In a letter to the institute's chairman, Dr Douglas Gurr, Kyle outlined a series of demands for the institute to reorient its research priorities, placing defence and national security at the forefront.
This intervention signals a significant shift in government expectations for the independent research organisation. While the Turing Institute has been undergoing a reform programme, dubbed Turing 2.0, which already saw it reduce its research projects by 80% and focus on health, sustainability, and security, Kyle's letter insists on a further, more pronounced emphasis on defence.
Key Takeaways:
The Alan Turing Institute must prioritise defence, national security, and sovereign AI capabilities.
Funding, including a recent £100 million grant from the EPSRC, could be reviewed if the institute does not comply.
The government expects changes to the institute's executive leadership and board to reflect this new focus.
This move aligns with the government's broader strategy to increase defence R&D spending.
Funding Under Threat
Kyle's letter explicitly links future government funding to the institute's adherence to the new defence-centric mandate. While the government has pledged to maintain current levels of defence and national security R&D funding for the next three years, this support will be contingent on the institute meeting new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to this investment. The Secretary also suggested that the institute's core funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) could be reconsidered during a mid-term review in 2026-27, potentially leading to reduced dependency on EPSRC funding.
Leadership Overhaul Suggested
Beyond research priorities, Kyle also called for changes to the institute's executive leadership team and board. He stressed the importance of an executive team with relevant background and sector knowledge to lead this transition, and a board of trustees aligned with the institute's renewed purpose. This comes amidst a period of internal restructuring and staff concerns regarding the institute's direction.
Broader Context and Reactions
This directive aligns with the government's commitment to increase defence spending and invest more in military applications of AI technology. A recent government defence review highlighted the need for a shift towards greater use of autonomy and artificial intelligence for force transformation. The move has been met with mixed reactions. While a spokesperson for the Alan Turing Institute affirmed its commitment to supporting the UK's sovereign AI capabilities, including in defence, some critics argue that a singular focus on defence could undermine the institute's broader role as a national AI research body.
