UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) found that the Alan Turing Institute’s strategic alignment and value for money are “not yet satisfactory” in a review of the AI research body’s performance.

The Turing Institute has dealt with a tumultuous year, with its head stepping down amid pushback from staff complaining about a toxic work environment.

The government has also pressured the AI research body to change its focus toward defense and security rather than other themes of the AI revolution.

The review by UKRI found that, while the Turing Institute has strong foundations and clear evidence of scientific excellence, it still needs to articulate a clear strategic purpose and strengthen its delivery.

It must also ensure its work is brought to bear more effectively in the national interest, UKRI found.

The review made a range of recommendations for the Turing Institute to better its alignment with national strategy to strengthen the UK’s position with AI.

These recommendations include:

• having a clear, single purpose mission with national resilience, security and defence at its core
• strengthened, transparent prioritisation and governance
• reinstating external scientific advice and scrutiny
• strengthened engagement with key stakeholders, including representation on the board
• a value for money framework agreed with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Now, UKRI will be working with the Turing Institute and its leadership to implement these recommendations in an effort to strengthen accountability, improve delivery, and ensure the Turing is best placed to serve the UK’s critical AI needs in national resilience, security, and defense.

By September 2026, UKRI aims to have the Turing Institute achieve critical success factors that will be independently assessed.

Artificial intelligence presents a major opportunity for the UK. Realising that opportunity depends on institutions that are focused, effective and aligned to national need.

Recommended reading

• Head of Alan Turing Institute Steps Down Amid Strategy Shuffle and Staff Struggle
• Alan Turing Institute Staff Complain of Toxic Culture and Failures
• UK Tech Secretary Pressures Turing Institute to Go Defence-First

“This review recognises the value and potential of The Alan Turing Institute, but it also makes clear that significant change is needed in some areas,” Professor Charlotte Deane, UKRI AI Senior Responsible Owner said.

“UKRI is committed to ensuring our investments deliver fully in the national interest. That means backing new opportunities with ambition, and it also means being prepared to make difficult changes where they are needed in the national interest.

“We will now work with the Turing, its new incoming CEO and its partners to take forward the review’s recommendations and strengthen delivery against the UK’s priorities.”