The chief executive of the UK’s leading AI institute has stepped down following reports of unrest among staff and fears it could collapse.

Dr Jean Innes publicly announced she was stepping back as chief executive of the Alan Turing Institute (ATI) on Thursday and said “a new chapter (is) starting for the Institute”.

Staff at the Government-backed charity last month complained to regulators that it is in danger of collapse, fearing £100 million of public funding could be withdrawn.

This came after Technology Secretary Peter Kyle demanded the ATI start focusing on defence and security work and said its “longer-term funding arrangement” could be reviewed, according to reports.

ATI is now seeking a new chief executive who will oversee its next phase that “will see it step up its work on

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