Congratulations to RSS fellow Professor Mark Girolami, who has just been announced as the first Chief Scientist at The Alan Turing Institute.
This newly created role at the UK’s national institute for data science and AI will have responsibility for the creation and delivery of the Institute’s scientific and innovation strategy, as well as its approach to ethics and responsible innovation.
Professor Girolami is currently the Sir Kirby Laing Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Cambridge where he also holds the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Data Centric Engineering (DCE). Prior to his role as Chief Scientist he led The Alan Turing Institute-Lloyds Register Foundation Programme in Data Centric Engineering which, under his leadership, grew into a multi-million pound global research and innovation enterprise.
Speaking about the appointment, Mark said: 'I am delighted to have this opportunity to become the Turing’s first Chief Scientist and, in this role, provide the required leadership to accomplish the Institute’s mission of making great leaps in data science and AI research and innovation in order to change the world for the better.'
Former RSS President, Professor Adrian Smith, who is Chief Executive at the Turing, said: 'This is a very positive appointment for the Turing, one that I feel strongly demonstrates the importance of the Turing as an integral and central part of the UK’s data science and AI environment. Mark will be an excellent advocate and ambassador for the Institute and the UK as he carries on his good work promoting the benefits of data science and AI for all.'