Head of UK’s beleaguered Alan Turing Institute resigns

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/04/head-of-alan-turing-institute-jean-innes-resigns

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Jean Innes says it is time for ‘new chapter’ at AI research body, after staff revolt and government calls for change

The chief executive of the UK’s leading artificial intelligence institute 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 the institute’s 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.

Innes said on Thursday: “It has been a great honour to lead the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence, implementing a new strategy and overseeing significant organisational transformation. With that work concluding, and a new chapter starting for the Institute, now is the right time for new leadership and I am excited about what it will achieve.”

ATI has been beset by internal strife since last year as staff protested against internal changes, culminating in a group of employees filing a whistleblower complaint to the Charity Commission last month.