The UK government has announced the appointment of Dr Jade Leung as vice-chair of the AI Security Institute (AISI) and security advisor to the AI Taskforce.

Leung will step down from her current full-time roles as the Prime Minister's adviser on AI and chief technology officer of the AI Security Institute at the end of September due to personal circumstances. She will continue to provide strategic advice on AI safety and security in her new part-time roles.

The government said Leung has played a central role in shaping its AI agenda, helping to establish the AI Security Institute and supporting work spanning national security, economic growth and public sector AI adoption.

Alongside her government responsibilities, she will become a distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. The government said a new adviser on AI to the Prime Minister will be appointed in due course.

AI minister Kanishka Narayan credited Leung with helping to build the AI Security Institute into a world-leading organisation, securing an AI partnership between the UK and Ukraine and supporting the development of AI Growth Zones across the UK.

“I am delighted that Jade will continue to contribute her expertise as vice-chair of the AI Security Institute and security advisor to the AI Taskforce,” Narayan said. “Her experience at the forefront of AI safety and security will remain an invaluable asset as we continue to strengthen the UK's leadership in this critical area.”

The announcement comes as the government seeks to expand the UK's international influence on AI regulation and safety.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly this week, Andy Burnham pledged to place AI at the centre of the UK's G20 presidency next year, calling for governments to agree a common set of global principles and standards for the development of advanced AI.

The Prime Minister argued that decisions on frontier AI were “too important to be left to chance” and should be led by elected governments rather than technology companies alone.

Burnham also announced plans for a new UK-US AI defence partnership aimed at protecting critical national infrastructure, while highlighting the role of the AI Security Institute in working with US counterparts and leading AI developers on AI safety research.

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