Professor Jason McEwen is Interim Chief Scientist and Mission Director for Fundamental Research at the Alan Turing Institute, where he shapes the Institute's scientific strategy and leads its mission to advance foundational research in data science and artificial intelligence. He is also a Professor within the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London (UCL), and Founder and Co-Director of UCL's Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science.
Jason has broad interdisciplinary research interests at the intersection of AI, statistics, applied mathematics and computing. He develops novel methodologies in statistical, geometric and generative AI — including probabilistic reasoning, foundation models and large language models — with the goal of creating approaches that are interpretable, trustworthy and grounded in domain knowledge for real-world application in science, industry and beyond. As part of the Planck team he won the Gruber Prize in Cosmology for contributions to fundamental advances in our understanding of the Universe.
Jason is excited to help unlock the potential of AI in tackling some of society's most pressing challenges — from climate, the environment and sustainability to defence and security — building national resilience by growing the UK's sovereign AI capabilities. He aims to ensure that fundamental AI delivers impact where it's needed most.