Dr Ana MacIntosh
Director of Strategic Programmes – Assuring Autonomy & AI

Responsibilities

I am responsible for directing the strategic and operational activities of large initiatives in the area of safety and assurance of autonomy and artificial intelligence. In particular, I lead the delivery of the Centre for Assuring Autonomy, and the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Lifelong Safety Assurance of AI-enabled Autonomous Systems (SAINTS).

The Centre for Assuring Autonomy is a partnership between Lloyd's Register Foundation and the University of York, where I hold responsibility for strategic development, governance, finance, operations, communications, external partnerships and policy engagement. I also lead and secure strategic funding bids both for the Centre and for the wider University, most recently the £16.2M SAINTS Centre for Doctoral Training, where I act as co-investigator and Director of Operations.

Career

I have held leadership positions in robotics, autonomy and AI for 10 years, including managing the development of strategic partnerships with major organisations across both the private and public sector. From 2018 to 2024 I led the Assuring Autonomy International Programme, including managing a large programme of collaborative research and sub-awards, and acted as the University of York's lead client for the design and build of the flagship Institute for Safe Autonomy, developing a case for investment and ensuring the laboratory facilities were fit for purpose. My background spans science, engineering and medicine, and I am a strong advocate of collaborative working.