Well-known technologist Jade Leung has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s new adviser on artificial intelligence.
Leung is chief technology officer at the AI Security Institute, a research organisation within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. She previously worked at OpenAI from 2021 to 2023, where she held governance and policy roles.
Leung replaces Matt Clifford, who stepped down at the end of July for personal reasons. In her new position, Leung will report directly to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle. She will divide her time between Number 10 and the AI Security Institute.
The government said Leung will work to position the UK as a leading nation in unlocking the benefits and preparing for the impacts of transformative AI. She will work closely with Starmer to harness AI to deliver strong foundations and economic growth, which are central to the government’s Plan for Change.
The AI Security Institute is tasked with equipping governments with a scientific understanding of the risks posed by advanced AI. It conducts research and develops mitigations for these risks.
The appointment comes several weeks after the UK government announced the signing of a strategic partnership with OpenAI to explore using AI to improve public services, such as education, defence, security, and the justice system.
The agreement could give OpenAI access to government data and will involve sharing technical information with the AI Security Institute. OpenAI also plans to expand its London office and invest in the UK’s AI infrastructure, including data centres.
Leung’s experience at OpenAI and her current role at the AI Security Institute are seen as valuable as the UK seeks to balance technological progress with security and governance. The partnership with OpenAI is intended to drive innovation and growth, but digital rights campaigners have raised concerns about privacy and the use of public data.
