Want to lead Whitehall's AI strategy? AI experience is not essential

The UK government is hiring someone to help lead its AI strategy for civil servants, and actual AI experience is apparently optional. The Cabinet Office is advertising for a Head of Strategy and Engagement in its Digital, Data, Innovation and AI team, or DDI & AI, with a salary of up to £83,355 ($113,000). The successful …

[elsergiovolador]

Patsy

Sounds like "strategy" (buy from foreign corporations over the market price and disadvantage domestic businesses) is already decided.

They just need a fall guy or guyette.

[Paul Herber]

Applicants needn't worry. No actual knowledge of AI or anything even vaguely technical is needed for this job. Might even be advantageous to not even speak English.

But you can expect to be recruited by some AI organisation very promptly with a salary 10x what the government can offer you.

[munnoch]

Is Ian Fletcher available?

[Paul Herber]

I suppose an expert on tactics during the Battle of Trafalgar is as good as anyone!

[trevorde]

This sounds like a job for ...

... Dido Harding!

[Paul Herber]

Re: This sounds like a job for ...

In that case she shall henceforth be called "dido hArdIng".

[Paul Herber]

Re: This sounds like a job for ...

Even though she went to Harvard Business School ...

"Dido Harding's utter ignorance is a lesson to us all"

"Marketing" magazine.

[ThatOne]

Specific profile

It simply seems the guy they have created this job for hasn't any AI experience...

[Jimmy2Cows]

Cheap

83 grand a year seems cheap for a "Head of" anything. Especially for someone who'll be responsible for setting the AI direction for half a million people.

[Pete 2]

Ignorance is bliss

> lead its AI strategy for civil servants, and actual AI experience is apparently optional.

Essentially the same strategy of every Whitehall department (with the notable exception of The Treasury) and political ministry.

And people wonder why the UK is in such a mess

[Paul Herber]

Re: Ignorance is bliss

More importance is given to be able to quip in Latin or ancient Greek than to know Ohm's Law or to think that the value of pi can be changed by law!

[elsergiovolador]

Re: Ignorance is bliss

You must be gullible enough to see all the third grade characters posted by big consultancies as some sort of geniuses worth being paid over the market.

[Paul Herber]

Re: Ignorance is bliss

You -> They

[Paul Herber]

Re: Ignorance is bliss

In Dubita Bubli

[Anonymous Coward]

Up to £83,355

I was earning more than that 10 years ago as a mere IT flunky.

Head of Strategy and Engagement in Digital

Head of kitchen supplies and meeting catering more like it.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Up to £83,355

I won't say that I wouldn't get out of bed for that, I would. I just wouldn't let the job interrupt my sleep.

Clock in, clock out, bare minimum and pass the buck up the line. This isn't peanuts but it's not enough to have a breakdown for either.