Steven George-Hilley To Lead AI Policy For Major Think Tank

Policy think tank Parliament Street has appointed Steven George-Hilley as its Director of Artificial Intelligence. The announcement comes as investors and regulators are being urged to accelerate the delivery plan for the UK’s AI sector as part of the government’s wider industrial strategy.

AI is seen as a key driver of cost savings and growth for the government, which recently launched a new AI Assurance Innovation Fund worth £11m.

The fund is designed to support the development of new and innovative AI assurance tools to future-proof the market and ensure the UK is ready to response to rapid developments in AI capabilities. To arm organisations like the FCA, an additional £2.7 million has been allocated to boost regulator capability in AI, to speed up safe and secure commercialisation of the technology.

Published data shows that Britain’s AI industry is booming, with a total of £2.9 billion spent in private support and average deals worth £5.9 million. British AI companies alone now contribute £11.8 billion to the UK economy, a doubling of the amount since 2023, creating 86,00 jobs.

Steven George-Hilley is the founder and CEO of communications firm Centropy PR, and will be tasked with leading the think tank’s cross-party policy development on AI deployment. The role will involve chairing debates in the House of Lords and liaising with ministers, regulators and policy officials about the latest developments.

First launched in 2012, the Parliament Street think tank specialises in connecting businesses with policymakers and operates impartially, organising debates, events and discussions in the Houses of Parliament and the House of Lords.

Originally joining the organisation as Technology Director in 2013, Steven George-Hilley has led key political liaison programmes, working with ministers in both Labour and Conservative party governments to develop the best practice of key technologies such as analytics, AI and quantum computing.

The UK government recently unveiled a blueprint for artificial intelligence regulation that would allow new AI products to be tested under relaxed rules, in a bid to drive growth and innovation in sectors such as healthcare and housebuilding.

Under the plans, unveiled by the UK’s technology secretary Liz Kendall in London on 21 October, a proposed AI Growth Lab would enable companies and innovators to test AI tools in ‘real-world’ conditions.

The proposed new testing environments would be set up for key economic sectors including healthcare, transport, and in the use of robotics in advanced manufacturing to “accelerate the responsible development and deployment of AI products”, according to the government.

Welcoming the new appointment, Patrick Sullivan, Chairman of Parliament Street said: “Our think has now been in operation for well over a decade, producing agenda-setting research, events and policies. With AI set to shake up the business community beyond all recognition, I’m very proud to appoint Steven to this newly created role.”

Steven George-Hilley, Director of AI, Parliament Street, said: “AI has the potential to transform public services beyond all recognition, saving key services like the NHS billions of pounds. However, the technology brings with it huge challenges in terms of security, privacy and ethical usage.

“Our organisation will continue to serve as a bridge between private businesses and the public sector, enabling the UK to become the epicentre of ethical and effective AI deployment,” concluded George-Hilley.