Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on new senior advisory roles with technology giant Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic, according to the BBC. Sunak announced on Thursday that he plans to donate all earnings from these roles to charity.
Sunak, who continues to serve as Member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton, said he was “delighted” to be working with “two of the world’s leading tech firms.” His appointments come about a year after leaving 10 Downing Street following the Conservative Party’s defeat in the July 2024 general election.
🧭 Strategic Roles in the Tech Sector
According to letters published by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), Sunak’s part-time role at Microsoft will involve providing high-level strategic perspectives on geopolitical trends.
At Anthropic, his position is described as being “akin to operating as an internal think tank,” offering insights to guide the company’s global strategy, the BBC reported.
Acoba—an independent watchdog that monitors post-government employment for former ministers—has imposed restrictions on these roles. Sunak:
- Cannot lobby ministers or government officials on behalf of Microsoft or Anthropic.
- Cannot advise either company on bidding for UK contracts for two years after leaving office.
These restrictions aim to prevent any perceived or actual conflicts of interest.
🏛️ AI and Policy: A Natural Fit
Sunak’s move into the tech sector is consistent with his time as Prime Minister, when technology regulation was a key policy focus.
He hosted the AI Safety Summit in 2023, where he frequently spoke about the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Acoba acknowledged potential concerns regarding these appointments, noting that both Microsoft and Anthropic have significant interests in UK government policy. This raises the risk of “unfair access and influence.”
However, the committee also stated that Sunak’s time out of office had reduced the relevance of any confidential information he might still possess.
💰 Giving Back: Proceeds to Charity
Sunak has pledged to donate all proceeds from his new advisory roles to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife. The organization focuses on tackling numeracy problems in the UK, a cause he prioritized during his time in office.
In a statement reported by the BBC, Sunak said:
“I have long believed that technology will transform our world and play a key part in determining our future. We stand on the edge of a technological revolution whose impacts will be as profound as those of the industrial revolution—and felt more quickly.”
🌐 Expanding His Post-Government Portfolio
These new advisory roles add to Sunak’s growing portfolio since leaving office. He previously joined Goldman Sachs as a paid adviser, where he had also worked earlier in his career between 2001 and 2004.
Anthropic, founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, is a leading developer of artificial intelligence systems. It competes with major players including OpenAI, Google, and Meta in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.
📊 What This Means
Sunak’s move underscores the deepening intersection between politics, technology, and global business. As governments around the world grapple with regulating AI, the involvement of former leaders in tech companies could shape both policy discussions and industry strategies in the coming years.
Source: Americankahani
