The review, published over the Easter weekend, follows the recent launch of a transformation programme at the Alan Turing Institute, which is headquartered at the British Library, after a series of claims about cultural issues at the organisation.

In 2024, 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.

UKRI agreed a five-year £100m funding package for the Alan Turing Institute in 2024, but in its latest review of the organisation’s work, it said value for money was “not yet satisfactory”.

The latest UKRI review also raised questions about the Alan Turing Institute’s strategic alignment, and called on it to “ensure its work is brought to bear more effectively in the national interest”.

The Alan Turing Institute recently named George Williamson as its next chief executive, taking up the role in May. Williamson’s predecessor as permanent chief executive, Dr Jean Innes, stepped down last year following reports of staff unrest and concerns raised by Peter Kyle, the UK technology secretary, about the organisation’s strategy.

Dr Doug Gurr, chair of the Alan Turing Institute, also left his role at the organisation last week to take up a five-year term as chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The new UKRI review made several key recommendations, including that the Alan Turing Institute should have a “clear, single purpose mission with national resilience, security and defence at its core”, strengthening governance and reinstating external scientific advice and scrutiny.

Other recommendations included strengthening engagement with key stakeholders, including representation on the board, and agreeing a value for money framework with the EPSRC.

UKRI said it would work with the incoming chief executive to support the Alan Turing Institute in developing a plan and critical success factors by September 2026, which will then be independently assessed.

Professor Charlotte Deane, AI senior responsible owner at UKRI, said: “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.

“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.”