The foremost AI institute in Britain has declared a new initiative to safeguard the nation from cyber assaults targeting essential services such as energy, transportation, and utilities. This announcement follows the resignation of its chief executive, who stepped down amid pressure from government officials over allegations of a detrimental workplace environment.

On Tuesday, the Alan Turing Institute revealed that it will “launch a program of science and innovation focused on shielding the UK from hostile threats.” This initiative is part of a broader reorganization following the resignation of CEO Jean Innes last month, which came after staff discontent and the government’s directive for a state-sponsored strategic review of the institution.

This mission arises from escalating worries about online disruptions and the UK’s susceptibility to cyberattacks, particularly in light of recent incidents that impacted Amazon’s cloud operations globally, along with cyberattacks that disrupted production at Jaguar Land Rover’s facility and influenced the supply chains of Marks & Spencer and Co-op.

Bryce Crawford, the former leader of the UK Air and Space Warfare Center, is expected to deliver a report next month addressing how government-supported research institutes can “enhance the scale of the government’s AI goals in defense, national security, and intelligence.”

Chairman Doug Garr, a former president of Amazon UK, disclosed that 78 different research initiatives at the 440-member institute have been shut down, transferred, or completed due to misalignment with the new trajectory.

The institute has experienced significant internal conflict since last year as staff opposed the proposed changes, leading to a group of employees submitting a whistleblower complaint to the Charity Commission.

In a BBC interview, Garr stated that the allegations from the whistleblower were “independently investigated” by an external entity and deemed “without merit.”

Named after the mathematical pioneer who played a crucial role in decoding the Enigma machine during World War II, the institute is associated with key concepts of AI and is also known for the Turing Test, which evaluates whether computers can demonstrate human-like intelligence.

The institute will additionally emphasize applying AI to environmental and health challenges. Leveraging rapidly evolving technology, it aims to create faster and more precise methods to forecast shifts in weather, oceans, and sea ice, aiding UK government endeavors to enhance the readiness of emergency responders. Furthermore, it seeks “measurable reductions in emissions across transportation networks, manufacturing processes, and critical infrastructure.”

In the health sector, it will prioritize the creation of a digital twin of the human heart, pushing forward in AI-enabled personalized medicine to potentially enhance medical interventions and improve outcomes for patients with severe heart conditions.