Alan Turing Institute Launches New Plan to Protect the UK from Cyber-Attacks
The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s top artificial intelligence (AI) research center, has announced a new plan to protect the country from cyber-attacks. The programme will focus on defending key services such as energy, transport, and utilities, especially as worries grow about the nation’s vulnerability to internet disruptions and hacking.
The institute said it would “carry out a programme of science and innovation designed to protect the UK from hostile threats.” The announcement follows a period of internal problems at the institute, including allegations of a toxic work culture and the resignation of its chief executive, Jean Innes, last month. Her departure came after staff complaints and government pressure for major changes in the organisation.
The new mission is part of a wider effort to strengthen the UK’s defences after several recent cyber incidents. A global outage on Amazon’s cloud services earlier this month caused major internet disruptions, while attacks on Jaguar Land Rover’s factories and supply chains at Marks & Spencer and the Co-op have highlighted how vulnerable major companies can be.
To guide this new direction, Blythe Crawford, a former commander of the UK’s Air and Space Warfare Centre, has been asked to report next month on how the government-funded institute can best support the country’s ambitions in defence, national security, and intelligence through AI.
Doug Gurr, the chair of the Alan Turing Institute and former head of Amazon UK, said that 78 research projects have been closed, spun out, or completed because they did not match the institute’s new goals. He explained that the institute is now focusing on fewer but more strategic projects that directly help the UK government and national security.
The institute has faced internal struggles over the past year. Staff protested against leadership changes, and some filed a whistleblower complaint to the Charity Commission. However, Gurr told the BBC that an independent investigation found the allegations had “no substance.”
Named after Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician who helped break the Nazi Enigma code during World War II and laid the foundation for modern AI, the institute continues to play a key role in advancing technology in the UK.
In addition to cybersecurity, the institute will also focus on using AI to improve environmental protection and health research. Scientists plan to use AI to better predict weather changes, ocean movements, and sea ice conditions, which could help emergency planners prepare for natural disasters. The goal is to use technology to reduce carbon emissions in transport, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure.
In health, researchers aim to create “digital twins” of human hearts — virtual models that could help doctors design more personalised treatments for patients with serious heart problems. This approach could lead to better outcomes and faster recovery for those suffering from cardiac diseases.
With this new mission, the Alan Turing Institute hopes to show how advanced AI can protect the UK’s people, economy, and environment while driving innovation and strengthening national security.
Published: 29th October 2025
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