Head of UK's beleaguered Alan Turing Institute resigns

The chief executive of the UK's leading artificial intelligence agency is stepping down after a staff revolt and government calls for a strategic overhaul. Jean Innes has led the Alan Turing Institute since 2023, but her position has come under pressure amid widespread discontent within the organisation and a demand from its biggest funder, the UK government, for a change in direction. ATI said the search was already under way for a replacement for Innes, who held senior roles in the civil service and technology industry before her appointment. Government sources pointed to a letter sent by the technology secretary, Peter Kyle, to ATI's chair in July that demanded strategic change and indicated a need for new leadership. In the letter, Kyle said the institute should switch its focus to defence and national security and urged "careful consideration" on having an appropriate executive team in place for such a move.