Alan Turing Institute Told to Prioritize Defence, National Security

The Alan Turing Institute has received a direct mandate from the UK government to significantly reorient its research priorities towards defence and national security. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, in a letter to ATI’s chair, stated that these areas, along with “sovereign capabilities” in AI, should form the core of the institute’s future activities, implicitly de-emphasizing its current focus on health and the environment.
This demand marks a clear departure from ATI’s “Turing 2.0” strategy, which the government deems insufficient to meet its evolving national requirements. The push for stronger relationships with the UK’s security, defence, and intelligence communities underscores a strategic imperative to leverage AI for national resilience and protection.
Beyond a programmatic shift, Kyle also indicated a need for leadership changes at ATI, suggesting that an executive team with relevant background and sector knowledge in defence and national security would be vital for this transition. This call for new leadership comes as the institute undergoes a restructuring process that has reportedly caused concern among some staff members.
The government’s influence is considerable, bolstered by a recent £100 million five-year funding deal for ATI, which could be subject to review next year. This strategic realignment of the Alan Turing Institute aligns with broader governmental shifts, such as the renaming of the AI Safety Institute to the AI Security Institute, reflecting a growing national focus on the security implications of AI.