Vallance appointed chair of new PM’s AI taskforce

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed ex-science minister Lord Patrick Vallance as chair of his AI taskforce.

The remit of the taskforce will be to drive the government’s overall strategy on AI and unlock the opportunities it holds for growth, prosperity and public sector transformation.

Reporting to cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo and AI minister Kanishka Narayan, the taskforce will deliver the Prime Minister’s AI agenda. Vallance, as chair, will report directly to Burnham.

Last week, Vallance quit as science minister shortly before the shutdown of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) was announced.

In addition to chairing the AI taskforce, Vallance will also serve as chair of the Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor, a partnership with local government, business and academia to drive innovation and remove the constraints that prevent growth.

“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,” says Burnham.

“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.”