In response, the ATI set out a plan in April, dubbed “Turing 2.0,” to narrow its focus to three areas of research — health, environment and defense — abandoning dozens of projects.
But in his letter, Kyle said “it remains clear that further action is needed to ensure the ATI meets its full potential.”
“Whilst acknowledging the ATI is an independent organization, its current reliance on public funding means that it is imperative that this resource is being maximized and is delivering value for money for citizens,” Kyle wrote.
The push to focus on national security concerns follows a rebadging of the U.K.’s AI Safety Institute as the “AI Security Institute” in February.
More recently, a major government Strategic Defence Review in June emphasized the importance of developing the U.K.’s sovereign AI capabilities to maintain military advantage and ensure economic and national security.
While the ATI has several existing programs focused on security issues, Kyle said national security projects should become the “core” of its work, alongside a “strengthened” relationship with the country’s “security, defense, and intelligence communities.”