Liverpool appoints UK’s first regional Chief AI Officer

Liverpool City Region has made history by appointing Tiffany St James as the UK’s first Chief AI Officer in regional government – a move that reflects the growing momentum behind the ethical use of artificial intelligence in public services.

The new role, unveiled this week by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, is designed to accelerate the region’s ambition to become a global hub for “AI for Good”. St James will head a dedicated taskforce charged with ensuring artificial intelligence is deployed responsibly to benefit communities, boost economic growth,  and enhance the delivery of local services.

St James brings decades of experience across government, media, and the private sector. A former strategic lead for public participation in the Cabinet Office, she co-founded the consultancy Transmute and has advised organisations including the BBC, Channel 4 and Google. Her career highlights include collaborating with Sir Tim Berners-Lee on the launch of data.gov.uk, and she currently sits on the World Economic Forum’s Global AI Council.

St James said she was excited to shape an ethical blueprint for AI adoption in the public sector: “This role offers a unique opportunity in public sector innovation to shape how ethical AI transforms lives, from education to healthcare. I’m excited to collaborate with local councils and the wider public sector, regional talent, and innovative partners at home and abroad to co-create impactful AI solutions that improve lives and help set a global blueprint for regional AI delivery.”

Speaking on the significance of the role, Rotheram said the region was seizing a once-in-a-generation chance to lead: “Artificial Intelligence has the potential to be one of the defining technologies of our age – but only if it’s harnessed in the right way. That’s why we’re putting a clear focus on using it as a force for good – to improve public services, support our communities, and grow our economy. Tiffany brings a wealth of experience, from working with global tech leaders to shaping national digital strategies, and she’s exactly the kind of trailblazer we need to lead this work.”

As Chief AI Officer, St James will be responsible for driving innovation across sectors such as health, transport, and education, with an emphasis on ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking applications of AI. Her first major outing in the role will be at the Liverpool City Region AI Summit next month, which will convene global researchers, industry leaders, and local innovators to explore the opportunities and risks of the technology.

Her appointment comes amid heightened national interest in artificial intelligence. The UK government has pledged billions in AI investment, while US tech giant Kyndryl has announced the creation of an AI hub in Liverpool City Region, expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs.