Dr. Jean Innes has resigned as chief executive of the UK’s Alan Turing Institute amid staff unrest and government pressure to refocus on defence and national security, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s premier AI research body. Her departure follows a threat to withdraw approximately £100 million in public funding if the institute did not align with the government’s strategic priorities.
Innes announced her resignation on September 4, 2025, stating that it was the right time for new leadership as the institute completes its current transformation programme. She expressed pride in her tenure, which began in July 2023, and optimism for the future under new management, emphasizing the honor of leading the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
The resignation was precipitated by a letter from Technology Secretary Peter Kyle in July, which demanded that the Turing Institute prioritize defence and security research to support national interests. Kyle warned that further government investment was contingent on this shift, highlighting the need for value for taxpayers and enhanced AI capabilities in defence contexts, which aligns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment to increase defence spending.
Internally, the institute has faced significant discontent, with 93 staff members signing a letter in late 2024 expressing no confidence in the leadership. In August 2025, employees escalated concerns by filing a whistleblowing complaint with the Charity Commission, fearing that the funding threat could lead to the institute’s collapse due to its heavy reliance on public funds, which account for most of its budget.
Founded in 2015, the Alan Turing Institute has historically focused on broad AI and data science applications, including environmental sustainability, healthcare, and national security. However, recent strategic changes under the Turing 2.0 transformation programme have caused upheaval, leading to job redundancies and the cancellation of projects in areas like online safety and health inequality, which has fueled staff protests.
Innes’s resignation is viewed as an initial step toward addressing governance issues, but staff and experts argue that comprehensive leadership changes, including at the board level, are necessary to restore trust. The institute must navigate the tension between its scientific mission and political pressures to maintain its role as a key player in UK AI research without compromising on broader societal challenges.
The board is now searching for a new CEO to oversee the intensified focus on defence and security, while the government has reaffirmed its support for this direction. The outcome will critically influence the future of AI research in the UK, balancing national security needs with the institute’s original goals of advancing world-class research for global benefit.