The UK’s leading AI research institute has been told to make “significant” changes to its main source of taxpayer funding.
The Guardian revealed last week that the board of the Alan Turing Institute was reminded of its legal duties by the charity watchdog following a whistleblower complaint.
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) body, which awarded ATI a five-year £100m funding package to 2024 and is the largest single source of funds, said it had reviewed the institute and found it was underperforming in terms of strategy and delivering value for money.
“The review concluded that the overall strategic alignment and value for money is still not satisfactory,” UKRI said.
Last summer, the government made clear it expected a strategic shift in the nominally independent organization and indicated the need for management changes, adding that its funding could be reviewed. Following its warning, changes have been made at the top of the organization.
ATI’s chief executive, Jean Innes, stepped down in September after increasing pressure due to a staff revolt, while its chairman Doug Goor resigned this week after being appointed permanent chairman of the UK competition watchdog.
Professor Charlotte Dean, who oversees UKRI’s AI programme, said that achieving the UK’s AI ambitions requires institutions that are “focused, effective and tailored to national needs”.
Announcing the outcome of the review he said: “This review recognizes the value and potential of the Alan Turing Institute, but also makes clear that significant change is needed in some areas.”
The review said that ATI has “strong foundations and clear evidence of scientific excellence”, but requires a clearer strategic focus and better delivery.
The government made clear last year that it wanted ATI to focus on defense and national security by reducing its work on health and environment, which were two of the three core themes for the institute.
Dean said UKRI would now work with the institute and its new chief executive, George Williamson, who came from a government role focused on national security, to implement the review’s recommendations. These included strengthening governance and placing defense and security at the core of ATI’s work. The institute carries out research with universities, the private sector and government bodies, while UKRI invests £8 billion a year in research and innovation in the UK.
An ATI spokesperson said the institute had focused its efforts and strengthened its governance, but acknowledged it needed to go “faster and further”.
“Working with funders and partners, we will be even more ambitious about the role we can play for the UK, and we welcome the reaffirmation of our clear, single-purpose mission to put national resilience, security and defense at the core,” the spokesperson said.
