Ben Johnson
@ersatzben.com
Professor of practice in research and innovation policy. Former UK govt adviser on science and tech policy. LFC. Max/MSP. Personal views.
Our analysis shows why public R&D is so vital. Knowledge spillovers mean private firms systematically underinvest in R&D. The evidence shows social returns from private R&D can be more than 4x higher than private returns, creating a clear rationale for public investment.
July 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Our analysis shows why public R&D is so vital. Knowledge spillovers mean private firms systematically underinvest in R&D. The evidence shows social returns from private R&D can be more than 4x higher than private returns, creating a clear rationale for public investment.
What’s inside? 🛠️
➡️ In-depth, evidence-based profiles of 9 major R&D policy tools.
➡️ A comprehensive framework for evaluating returns on R&D investment.
➡️ An interactive calculator to generate benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) for R&D spending.
➡️ In-depth, evidence-based profiles of 9 major R&D policy tools.
➡️ A comprehensive framework for evaluating returns on R&D investment.
➡️ An interactive calculator to generate benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) for R&D spending.
July 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM
What’s inside? 🛠️
➡️ In-depth, evidence-based profiles of 9 major R&D policy tools.
➡️ A comprehensive framework for evaluating returns on R&D investment.
➡️ An interactive calculator to generate benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) for R&D spending.
➡️ In-depth, evidence-based profiles of 9 major R&D policy tools.
➡️ A comprehensive framework for evaluating returns on R&D investment.
➡️ An interactive calculator to generate benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) for R&D spending.
The challenge: Driving innovation is crucial for the UK’s growth and security, but policymakers face a complex choice from a wide array of policy tools.
Our toolkit is designed to help navigate these critical decisions.
Our toolkit is designed to help navigate these critical decisions.
July 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The challenge: Driving innovation is crucial for the UK’s growth and security, but policymakers face a complex choice from a wide array of policy tools.
Our toolkit is designed to help navigate these critical decisions.
Our toolkit is designed to help navigate these critical decisions.
The narrow path ahead requires political will, new leadership, and sustained focus. But the prize is huge: a reformed ATI delivering decisive national advantage through sovereign AI capabilities.
Turing cracked Enigma for Britain and her allies. His Institute should do the same for our time.
Turing cracked Enigma for Britain and her allies. His Institute should do the same for our time.
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The narrow path ahead requires political will, new leadership, and sustained focus. But the prize is huge: a reformed ATI delivering decisive national advantage through sovereign AI capabilities.
Turing cracked Enigma for Britain and her allies. His Institute should do the same for our time.
Turing cracked Enigma for Britain and her allies. His Institute should do the same for our time.
Success isn't guaranteed. Organisational reform is hard.
We propose a 36-month implementation plan with clear phases and KPIs.
Critically, EPSRC must use its funding leverage to enforce change, or risk policy failure.
We propose a 36-month implementation plan with clear phases and KPIs.
Critically, EPSRC must use its funding leverage to enforce change, or risk policy failure.
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Success isn't guaranteed. Organisational reform is hard.
We propose a 36-month implementation plan with clear phases and KPIs.
Critically, EPSRC must use its funding leverage to enforce change, or risk policy failure.
We propose a 36-month implementation plan with clear phases and KPIs.
Critically, EPSRC must use its funding leverage to enforce change, or risk policy failure.
Why now? AI is reshaping warfare globally. Ukrainian forces use AI for artillery. US DARPA trials AI-piloted F-16s. China tests swarming autonomous drones.
The UK needs sovereign AI capabilities - not dependence on overseas commercial labs.
The UK needs sovereign AI capabilities - not dependence on overseas commercial labs.
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Why now? AI is reshaping warfare globally. Ukrainian forces use AI for artillery. US DARPA trials AI-piloted F-16s. China tests swarming autonomous drones.
The UK needs sovereign AI capabilities - not dependence on overseas commercial labs.
The UK needs sovereign AI capabilities - not dependence on overseas commercial labs.
The SoS letter provides a clear mandate: transform ATI into a vital D&NS asset.
This returns the Institute to Alan Turing's legacy. His work at Bletchley Park shortened WWII by 2-3 years. The Institute bearing his name should match that ambition and sense of national purpose.
This returns the Institute to Alan Turing's legacy. His work at Bletchley Park shortened WWII by 2-3 years. The Institute bearing his name should match that ambition and sense of national purpose.
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The SoS letter provides a clear mandate: transform ATI into a vital D&NS asset.
This returns the Institute to Alan Turing's legacy. His work at Bletchley Park shortened WWII by 2-3 years. The Institute bearing his name should match that ambition and sense of national purpose.
This returns the Institute to Alan Turing's legacy. His work at Bletchley Park shortened WWII by 2-3 years. The Institute bearing his name should match that ambition and sense of national purpose.
The standout exception? Its defence & national security work - which has been supporting the UK defence and intelligence communities with behind-the-scenes breakthroughs.
Ministers now want D&NS to be the main focus.
Ministers now want D&NS to be the main focus.
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The standout exception? Its defence & national security work - which has been supporting the UK defence and intelligence communities with behind-the-scenes breakthroughs.
Ministers now want D&NS to be the main focus.
Ministers now want D&NS to be the main focus.
Since 2015, the Turing has received £200m+ in govt funding but struggled with mission drift, thinly spread research, and governance misaligned with national priorities.
Research has visibly not kept pace with the AI frontier.
Research has visibly not kept pace with the AI frontier.
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Since 2015, the Turing has received £200m+ in govt funding but struggled with mission drift, thinly spread research, and governance misaligned with national priorities.
Research has visibly not kept pace with the AI frontier.
Research has visibly not kept pace with the AI frontier.
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
In the essay, I argue that the AI microsite:
- updates the grey literature tradition for a web-native world
- uses minimalist design to preload seriousness and inevitability
- blurs fact, forecast, and fiction into persuasive campaigns
- subtly engineers memory, not just belief
- updates the grey literature tradition for a web-native world
- uses minimalist design to preload seriousness and inevitability
- blurs fact, forecast, and fiction into persuasive campaigns
- subtly engineers memory, not just belief
April 28, 2025 at 7:07 AM
In the essay, I argue that the AI microsite:
- updates the grey literature tradition for a web-native world
- uses minimalist design to preload seriousness and inevitability
- blurs fact, forecast, and fiction into persuasive campaigns
- subtly engineers memory, not just belief
- updates the grey literature tradition for a web-native world
- uses minimalist design to preload seriousness and inevitability
- blurs fact, forecast, and fiction into persuasive campaigns
- subtly engineers memory, not just belief
We’re so used to ambient doubt now – about models, outputs, and expertise – that the simple act of building a clean, unbroken microsite reads as a gesture of good faith.
“Look: no ads, no tricks, just this argument.”
“Look: no ads, no tricks, just this argument.”
April 28, 2025 at 7:07 AM
We’re so used to ambient doubt now – about models, outputs, and expertise – that the simple act of building a clean, unbroken microsite reads as a gesture of good faith.
“Look: no ads, no tricks, just this argument.”
“Look: no ads, no tricks, just this argument.”
But AI microsites are about more than explaining ideas.
They exude trustworthiness at a time when trust itself is precarious.
They exude trustworthiness at a time when trust itself is precarious.
April 28, 2025 at 7:07 AM
But AI microsites are about more than explaining ideas.
They exude trustworthiness at a time when trust itself is precarious.
They exude trustworthiness at a time when trust itself is precarious.
The microsite format gives writers a powerful toolkit:
- Singular visual focus
- Total control over pacing
- Authority through design
- A subtle feeling of inevitability
In short: it performs seriousness.
- Singular visual focus
- Total control over pacing
- Authority through design
- A subtle feeling of inevitability
In short: it performs seriousness.
April 28, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The microsite format gives writers a powerful toolkit:
- Singular visual focus
- Total control over pacing
- Authority through design
- A subtle feeling of inevitability
In short: it performs seriousness.
- Singular visual focus
- Total control over pacing
- Authority through design
- A subtle feeling of inevitability
In short: it performs seriousness.
What is it about the microsite that makes it so suitable for AI discourse in 2025?
Let's dig into it 🧵
Let's dig into it 🧵
April 28, 2025 at 7:07 AM
What is it about the microsite that makes it so suitable for AI discourse in 2025?
Let's dig into it 🧵
Let's dig into it 🧵
The opportunity is real. So is the risk.
Get UKDI right, and we don’t just defend better – we grow better.
Miss this chance, and we stay stuck – while others charge ahead.
Let’s choose speed, sovereignty, and strategic clarity.
Get UKDI right, and we don’t just defend better – we grow better.
Miss this chance, and we stay stuck – while others charge ahead.
Let’s choose speed, sovereignty, and strategic clarity.
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The opportunity is real. So is the risk.
Get UKDI right, and we don’t just defend better – we grow better.
Miss this chance, and we stay stuck – while others charge ahead.
Let’s choose speed, sovereignty, and strategic clarity.
Get UKDI right, and we don’t just defend better – we grow better.
Miss this chance, and we stay stuck – while others charge ahead.
Let’s choose speed, sovereignty, and strategic clarity.
What’s needed:
• A concentration of truly exceptional people – paid properly
• Radical autonomy: freedom from civil service pay bands, procurement rules, and hiring constraints
• Political cover: a serious Chair reporting directly to PM + Defence Secretary
• A concentration of truly exceptional people – paid properly
• Radical autonomy: freedom from civil service pay bands, procurement rules, and hiring constraints
• Political cover: a serious Chair reporting directly to PM + Defence Secretary
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
What’s needed:
• A concentration of truly exceptional people – paid properly
• Radical autonomy: freedom from civil service pay bands, procurement rules, and hiring constraints
• Political cover: a serious Chair reporting directly to PM + Defence Secretary
• A concentration of truly exceptional people – paid properly
• Radical autonomy: freedom from civil service pay bands, procurement rules, and hiring constraints
• Political cover: a serious Chair reporting directly to PM + Defence Secretary
UKDI should:
• Identify classified capability gaps
• Translate them into solvable tech problems
• Fund & scale UK solutions fast
• Kill failing ideas ruthlessly
• Drive adoption via direct pull from military users
• Identify classified capability gaps
• Translate them into solvable tech problems
• Fund & scale UK solutions fast
• Kill failing ideas ruthlessly
• Drive adoption via direct pull from military users
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
UKDI should:
• Identify classified capability gaps
• Translate them into solvable tech problems
• Fund & scale UK solutions fast
• Kill failing ideas ruthlessly
• Drive adoption via direct pull from military users
• Identify classified capability gaps
• Translate them into solvable tech problems
• Fund & scale UK solutions fast
• Kill failing ideas ruthlessly
• Drive adoption via direct pull from military users
UKDI must avoid the trap of reforming everything and achieving nothing. It should instead be designed to bypass system failure.
If UKDI gets a few key things right, it can show the rest of the system what’s possible.
If UKDI gets a few key things right, it can show the rest of the system what’s possible.
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
UKDI must avoid the trap of reforming everything and achieving nothing. It should instead be designed to bypass system failure.
If UKDI gets a few key things right, it can show the rest of the system what’s possible.
If UKDI gets a few key things right, it can show the rest of the system what’s possible.
But to ensure the UK catches up, UKDI must not be just another R&D funder.
It must be a mission-led, high-agency engine, with expert Technical Directors empowered to run bold, fast, outcome-driven programmes.
Think DARPA meets Vaccines Taskforce – with full political support.
It must be a mission-led, high-agency engine, with expert Technical Directors empowered to run bold, fast, outcome-driven programmes.
Think DARPA meets Vaccines Taskforce – with full political support.
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
But to ensure the UK catches up, UKDI must not be just another R&D funder.
It must be a mission-led, high-agency engine, with expert Technical Directors empowered to run bold, fast, outcome-driven programmes.
Think DARPA meets Vaccines Taskforce – with full political support.
It must be a mission-led, high-agency engine, with expert Technical Directors empowered to run bold, fast, outcome-driven programmes.
Think DARPA meets Vaccines Taskforce – with full political support.
That’s a problem in peacetime. But in the coming years it could prove catastrophic. Geopolitical risk is rising. Autonomy & AI are reshaping conflict. If we can't develop & deploy at speed, we’ll fall behind.
The Government's announcement of UKDI is therefore a welcome move.
The Government's announcement of UKDI is therefore a welcome move.
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
That’s a problem in peacetime. But in the coming years it could prove catastrophic. Geopolitical risk is rising. Autonomy & AI are reshaping conflict. If we can't develop & deploy at speed, we’ll fall behind.
The Government's announcement of UKDI is therefore a welcome move.
The Government's announcement of UKDI is therefore a welcome move.
The UK has world-class research & growing defence investment – but promising technologies stall before they get to the front line.
Why? Institutional inertia, slow procurement, and a lack of follow-through on promising techs.
Why? Institutional inertia, slow procurement, and a lack of follow-through on promising techs.
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The UK has world-class research & growing defence investment – but promising technologies stall before they get to the front line.
Why? Institutional inertia, slow procurement, and a lack of follow-through on promising techs.
Why? Institutional inertia, slow procurement, and a lack of follow-through on promising techs.
🚨 NEW PAPER KLAXON 🚨
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
🚨 NEW PAPER KLAXON 🚨
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
You know annual recap emails have gone too far when you get one from your fucking toothbrush company. Guys, it’s teeth. Dial it back.
December 31, 2024 at 3:25 PM
You know annual recap emails have gone too far when you get one from your fucking toothbrush company. Guys, it’s teeth. Dial it back.
This one paragraph from this story made me chuckle…
Travel agent’s chatty AI call-handlers take off
www.thetimes.com/article/b56c...
Travel agent’s chatty AI call-handlers take off
www.thetimes.com/article/b56c...
December 9, 2024 at 7:29 AM
This one paragraph from this story made me chuckle…
Travel agent’s chatty AI call-handlers take off
www.thetimes.com/article/b56c...
Travel agent’s chatty AI call-handlers take off
www.thetimes.com/article/b56c...