The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has named Tiffany St James as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, marking the first appointment of its kind in UK regional government. St James will lead a newly created AI taskforce with a focus on applying artificial intelligence ethically and effectively across the region.

An experienced digital strategist, St James has advised national and local governments, worked with major technology companies, and served on the Global AI Council. Earlier in her career, she was the UK government’s first Head of Public Participation, co-founded the consultancy Transmute, and contributed to the creation of DATA.GOV.UK alongside Sir Tim Berners-Lee. She has also advised organizations such as the BBC, Channel 4, and Google.

Her appointment comes as Liverpool City Region positions itself as a hub for AI innovation. US-based Kyndryl recently announced plans to establish an AI center in the area that is expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs. Mayor Steve Rotheram said the new role underscores the region’s ambition to lead the UK’s adoption of artificial intelligence “as a force for good” in public services, communities, and the economy.

St James said she looks forward to collaborating with local authorities, public sector bodies, and industry partners to advance AI initiatives across areas such as health, transport, and education. “This role offers a unique opportunity in public sector innovation to shape how ethical AI transforms lives,” she noted.