Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s adviser on artificial intelligence is stepping down from her full-time Downing Street role at the end of September, the Government has announced.
Dr Jade Leung will leave her positions as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on AI and Chief Technology Officer of the AI Security Institute because of personal circumstances.
However, she is not leaving government entirely. Leung has been appointed Vice-Chair of the AI Security Institute and Security Advisor to the AI Taskforce, allowing her to continue contributing to the Government’s work on AI safety and security.
New AI adviser to be appointed
The Cabinet Office confirmed that a new Adviser on AI to the Prime Minister will be appointed in due course.
Leung has advised the Prime Minister on advanced artificial intelligence and helped shape government policy covering the public sector, national security and economic growth.
She has also played a leading role at the AI Security Institute, where the Government says she helped develop its technical research capability and programme of work.
Leung moves to two part-time government roles
Under the new arrangements, Leung will become Vice-Chair of the AI Security Institute and Security Advisor to the AI Taskforce.
The Government said she will continue providing strategic advice on AI safety and security as ministers seek to prepare for both the opportunities and risks associated with increasingly advanced AI systems.
Alongside her government work, Leung will take up a part-time position as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
Burnham praises outgoing adviser
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain was better prepared for the opportunities and challenges created by artificial intelligence because of Leung’s work.
He said he was grateful for her contribution and welcomed the fact that she would continue working with the Government.
AI Minister Kanishka Narayan also thanked Leung for her work, highlighting her role in developing the AI Security Institute, the UK’s AI work with Ukraine and the establishment of AI Growth Zones.
AI strategy moved to centre of government
The change comes after the Burnham Government reorganised responsibility for artificial intelligence during machinery-of-government changes announced in July.
A new AI Taskforce was established within the Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet, supported by a prime ministerial adviser on AI. Responsibility for AI strategy, public-sector adoption and the AI Security Institute was also moved to the Cabinet Office.
The Government has therefore indicated that the Prime Minister’s dedicated AI adviser role will continue despite Leung stepping back from the full-time position.