Innes had led the UK’s AI research body since 2023, and will remain in post until later this year as the Alan Turing Institute’s transformation programme concludes.

News organisations in recent weeks had reported about staff discontent within the institute, with the technology secretary, Peter Kyle, alleged to have written to the Alan Turing Institute earlier this year to call for strategic change.

Last year, a panel commissioned by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) concluded that reforms were needed at the Alan Turing Institute if the body was to retain its funding levels and to build on its role as a national centre for data science and AI.

Following Innes’ resignation, the Alan Turing Institute’s board has launched a process to appoint a new chief executive to oversee the next phase of the organisation, which will see it step up its work on defence, national security and sovereign capabilities.

This institute said that the changes include working with defence and security partners to identify specific areas of focus and exploring adding additional defence and security expertise to the institute’s senior leadership team and at board level.

The Alan Turing Institute added that it would seek to advance ‘high impact’ projects in environment and health that support government priorities and the interests of the institute’s philanthropic and private funders.

Doug Gurr, chair of the Alan Turing Institute, said: “With £100m of core funding allocated last year, a newly focused approach to science and innovation and the operational restructure due to complete this autumn, I and the board would like to thank Jean for her major contribution, ensuring the national institute’s priorities are streamlined and focused on delivering real-world impact in priority areas for the UK.

“We are now looking for a successor as CEO to drive the next phase of the organisation, ensuring our unique capabilities are used to deliver high-impact work that increases our capacity and expertise in defence and national security, and continues to drive forward exciting innovations in environment and healthcare.”

Innes added: “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.”