Alan Turing ai Institute: Staff at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national center for AI research, have raised alarms about its potential collapse following a whistleblowing complaint to the Charity Commission.
The complaint cites mismanagement of public funds, a toxic workplace culture, and failure to meet the institute’s mission, triggered by a letter from Technology Secretary Peter Kyle threatening to cut funding unless the institute shifts focus to defense research.
The complaint, submitted anonymously due to fears of retaliation, accuses the leadership, including chairman Doug Gurr, of governance failures and lack of transparency in spending.
It warns that the £100m grant from the previous government is at risk, potentially leading to the institute’s downfall. The Alan Turing Institute responded that it is undergoing organizational changes to align with its “Turing 2.0 strategy,” emphasizing national security and societal impact.
Internal turmoil has escalated, with 93 staff expressing no confidence in leadership in 2024. Jean Innes, appointed CEO in 2023, has pushed for modernization, while co-directors Helen Margetts and Cosmina Dorobantu resigned in July, and former CTO Jonathan Starck left in May.
A Charity Commission spokesperson confirmed they are assessing the complaint but have not launched a formal investigation.
A government spokesperson defended Peter Kyle’s push for the institute to prioritize national security, stating it aims to deliver value for taxpayers.
The institute’s recent projects include AI applications in weather prediction and education, but critics question its direction amid job cuts and leadership changes.
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