UK must not be beholden to foreign AI, says head of Alan Turing Institute

George Williamson: ‘As AI becomes more embedded in domains like defence, national security, critical infrastructure and healthcare we shouldn’t depend solely on systems we can’t inspect or control.’ Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

The UK must not become dependent on foreign AI systems that can be switched off at short notice and must develop its own versions of the technology, according to the head of the Alan Turing Institute.

The country needs a stronger domestic position in AI in response to the US and China’s runaway leadership in the field, with “national resilience” a key focus for ATI said George Williamson.