Breaking up the science department is a setback for Britain’s AI ambitions

Prime Minister Andy Burnham abolished the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on his first full day in office, spreading its responsibilities across four different departments. Eliot Wilson argues this decision is a major setback for the UK's science policy and AI ambitions, one that will take years to undo.

Spreading AI across four different departments is a mistake Andy Burnham will come to regret, says Eliot Wilson Last Tuesday, on his first full day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham killed the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. That has set back the UK’s approach to science policy by several years, for reasons which are