Steven George-Hilley appointed as AI director for Parliament Street think tank

Parliament Street, one of the UK’s leading think tanks has today appointed Steven George-Hilley as its Director of Artificial Intelligence, in a newly created role.

The news comes as the UK government signs a new deal with OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT, to use artificial intelligence (AI) to increase productivity in the UK’s public services and key government departments. Areas targeted for improvement include the justice, law and order, national security, defence and education sectors.

George-Hilley, founder of global tech communications firm Centropy PR, will lead the think tank’s cross-party policy development on AI deployment and liaise with businesses to discuss packages for public sector deals and services.

Established in 2012, Parliament Street specialises in connecting businesses with policymakers and operates impartially, organising debates, events and discussions in the Houses of Parliament and the House of Lords. Joining the organisation as Technology Director in 2013, Steven George-Hilley has led key political liaison programmes, working with ministers in both Labour and Conservative party governments to develop the best practice of key technologies such as analytics, AI and quantum computing.

This month, the UK government unveiled a blueprint for artificial intelligence regulation that would allow new AI products to be tested under relaxed rules, in a bid to drive growth and innovation in sectors such as healthcare and housebuilding.

Under the plans, unveiled by the UK’s technology secretary Liz Kendall in London on 21 October, a proposed AI Growth Lab would enable companies and innovators to test AI tools in ‘real-world’ conditions.

The proposed new testing environments would be set up for key economic sectors including healthcare, transport, and in the use of robotics in advanced manufacturing to “accelerate the responsible development and deployment of AI products”, according to the government.

Announcing the appointment, Patrick Sullivan, Chairman said: “Our think has now been in operation for well over a decade, producing agenda-setting research, events and policies. With AI set to shake up the business community beyond all recognition, I’m very proud to appoint Steven to this newly created role.”

Responding to the announcement, Steven George-Hilley, Director of AI, Parliament Street, said: “AI has the potential to transform public services beyond all recognition, saving key services like the NHS billions of pounds. However, the technology brings with it huge challenges in terms of security, privacy and ethical usage. Our organisation will continue to serve as a bridge between private businesses and the public sector, enabling the UK to become the epicentre of ethical and effective AI deployment.