Jade Leung has been named as the new adviser on AI to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. She takes over from Matt Clifford, who left in July for personal reasons after leading the government’s AI data centre initiative.
Leung currently serves as Chief Technology Officer at the AI Security Institute, which sits within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. She will continue in this role while dividing her time between Number 10 and the institute.
Her career has already involved high profile positions in the sector. Between 2021 and 2023 she worked at OpenAI, holding posts in governance and policy. The government considers her experience as valuable as the country tries to manage both technological progress and the risks that come with it.
What Will The AI Adviser’s Job Involve?
The government has said Leung will work closely with Starmer and Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. She is expected to guide decisions on how Britain can use artificial intelligence in ways that support economic growth and national security. The announcement said, “As part of the role, she will work to position the UK as the leading nation to help unlock the benefits and prepare for the impacts of transformative AI…”
Leung will report directly to both Starmer and Kyle. This means she will be part of discussions in Downing Street as well as in the research-heavy environment of the AI Security Institute. According to the government announcement, the role is in line with the Plan for Change which, as we know, is the current government’s economic strategy.
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The AI Security Institute itself has a straightforward mission… It equips governments with a scientific understanding of the risks posed by advanced AI, running research programmes and building tools that aim to reduce dangers. Leung’s new advisory post means she is expected to act as a link between scientific analysis and political decision making.
The appointment of Leung comes shortly after the UK signed a strategic partnership with OpenAI. This deal was announced to improve public services such as education, defence, security and justice through artificial intelligence. Under the agreement, OpenAI could gain access to government data while also sharing technical knowledge with the AI Security Institute.
OpenAI has also committed to strengthening its presence in the UK. The company said it would invest in AI infrastructure such as data centres and expand its London office. Leung’s time at OpenAI has been noted as an asset given this new relationship.
What Is Expected And What Are People Worried About?
The government is in hopes that the appointment will help the UK become a leading country in managing artificial intelligence, especially given Leung’s track record at OpenAI and the AI Security Institute has been described as a good match for this goal.
At the same time, digital rights groups are a bit concerned about how public data might be used within the new partnership with OpenAI. Things like privacy and oversight are likely to become topics in debates as the agreement develops.
