AI to power change at the heart of government as Lord Vallance appointed chair of new PM AI Taskforce

AI to power change at the heart of government as Lord Vallance appointed chair of new PM AI Taskforce
For the first time, AI will be positioned at the very centre of government, thanks to the launch of the PM’s new AI Taskforce which will be chaired by Lord Vallance.
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New AI Taskforce to drive the Government’s overall strategy on AI and unlock the opportunities it holds for growth, prosperity and public sector transformation
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Lord Vallance to bring extensive scientific, technical and public sector experience in his role as Chair. AI Minister Kanishka Narayan will lead the Taskforce and attend Cabinet.
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Lord Vallance has also been appointed as Chair of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
For the first time, AI will be positioned at the very centre of government, thanks to the launch of the PM’s new AI Taskforce which will be chaired by Lord Vallance.
The remit of the Taskforce will be to transform public services and unlock growth and prosperity across the country, learning lessons from models such as the Vaccines Taskforce which showed that an empowered unit, with clear accountability to the Prime Minister, can drive extraordinary outcomes and deliver real benefits for people across the country.
Reporting to Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo and AI Minister Narayan, the Taskforce will deliver the Prime Minister’s AI agenda.
Lord Vallance, as Chair, will report directly to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
AI is rapidly changing our world and we need to make sure it works for everyone. The opportunities are huge if we get it right and I want AI to power a new industrial revolution that drives good growth in every postcode.
Lord Vallance is a true public servant with decades of experience, expertise and a track record of delivery. I’m delighted he’ll be chairing the AI Taskforce, putting AI at the centre of all our work to change people’s lives for the better.
Lord Vallance said:
I’m delighted to be appointed Chair of the AI Taskforce and Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. This government is sending a signal that’s clearer than ever before about its commitment to realising the opportunities of AI and Science and Technology.
The potential to transform public services, drive growth and improve people’s lives is immense, and I intend to make sure we deliver on it.
Minister for Artificial Intelligence Kanishka Narayan said:
AI is likely the most significant technology in human history. That is why it is now at the UK Cabinet’s table, so we can reindustrialise with AI, secure our country, and support our public services.
I am delighted that Lord Vallance will work with me on the AI Taskforce, so we can draw on his unique mix of scientific expertise, experience in government and a relentless focus on delivery. We will focus on using AI to boost growth, strengthen public services and create opportunities in every part of our country.
The Taskforce will be based with First Secretary of State Louise Haigh in the Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC). The OPMC will include the AI Taskforce alongside No.10, No.10 North and core Cabinet Office functions. The Taskforce’s fundamental purpose will be the direction and implementation of the government’s strategy on AI.
The Taskforce will also lead on enabling transformation and AI adoption across the public sector. Responsibility for the existing AI Security Institute will move to the Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
Lord Vallance is one of the UK’s most distinguished figures at the intersection of science, government, academia and industry. Widely respected across all fields, he will continue to ensure strong relationships and collaboration between key sectors.
He will also serve as Chair of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor, an ambitious partnership with local government, business, and academia to drive innovation and remove the constraints that are holding back good growth. The role builds on his previous position as Ministerial Champion for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Lord Vallance served as the UK’s Government Chief Scientific Adviser from 2018 to 2023, providing independent scientific advice on some of the most significant challenges of recent years. He is best known for his leadership of the Vaccines Taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering the UK’s vaccination programme. Most recently he was Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).