The BBC’s Chief Technology Officer Peter O’Kane has outlined how the corporation’s Research & Development division will reorganise to cut costs and focus on priority areas, supporting the move to digital services delivered over the internet.
The announcement follows last week’s announcement that the BBC will close and transfer roles in some areas and create roles in growth areas – with an expected total reduction of around 500 public service roles by the end of March 2025.
“As part of this transformation, and to ensure BBC R&D remains a centre of excellence and continues to foster world class innovations, we’ll be reorganising to give ourselves a sharper focus,” says Kane. “To be clear, BBC R&D’s remit, role, and purpose will remain unchanged and will continue to play a critical role in accelerating innovation across the BBC. We will continue to invent, innovate, and influence the industry in internet-based, digital and broadcasting technologies that benefit the BBC and contribute to the UK creative economy.”
The plan is to create six teams:
Applied Research Area – Artificial Intelligence: Advancing the application of Large Language Models and AI Safety by bridging AI research with other disciplines to tackle real-world challenges
Applied Research Area – Media: Driving the transformation in the tools, streaming and distribution technologies – to ensure our products and services can be delivered efficiently on internet-connected devices
Applied Research Area – Foundation: Facilitating the shift to new ways of computing, storing and managing media and AI applications
Propositions team: Working with BBC and industry partners to design and develop comprehensive innovative digital experiences that are ready for market
Advisory team: Defining and influencing technology standards, innovative research roadmaps and policy and regulation
Portfolio & Delivery team: Accurately tracking and managing the delivery of research projects
“To get there we will need to consolidate some existing capabilities and inevitably, having this sharper focus will mean we won’t be able to keep doing everything we’re doing today” said Kane. “This change won’t be easy – but this refocused, smaller team will help us deliver our key objectives to support the BBC’s mission, providing value for all – while setting us for a fast-paced changing world that is increasingly digital.”
Pippa Considine
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