How Rishi Sunak's Focus on AI as Prime Minister Paved the Way for His New Roles in the Private Sector
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has officially transitioned back to the private sector, taking up paid senior advisory roles at two major United States based technology companies, Microsoft and the artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. The appointments, announced Thursday, mark his first major move since leaving Downing Street and underscore his commitment to engaging with the technology sector, a key policy focus of his premiership, which included hosting the world’s first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park.
Sunak, who remains the Member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton, will serve in a part time capacity for both firms. At Microsoft, he will provide high level strategic perspectives on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and how they intersect with innovation and digital transformation. His role at Anthropic is described as being akin to operating as an internal think tank, advising the company’s senior leadership on strategy, macroeconomic, and global geopolitical developments.
The move was scrutinized and approved by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, the independent watchdog that regulates new jobs for former ministers. To prevent any conflicts of interest or perceived unfair influence, the appointments come with strict ethical conditions. These restrictions prohibit Sunak from lobbying the UK government on behalf of either company for two years from his last day in ministerial office, advising on bidding for UK government contracts, or exploiting any privileged information obtained during his time in government. Both companies affirmed that the roles would be strictly focused on global strategy and not on UK specific policy matters.
The announcement generated a positive reaction from the firms, with Anthropic noting that Sunak was among the first global leaders to recognize AI's transformative potential. Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister emphasized his belief that technology will play a key part in determining the future and expressed excitement to help both companies address strategic questions on making tech work for economies, security, and society. He declared that all proceeds from his new advisory roles will be donated in full to The Richmond Project, a charity he co founded with his wife, Akshata Murty, which focuses on improving numeracy skills across the UK.
Sunak's return to the corporate world, following a previous advisory role with Goldman Sachs earlier this year, highlights the revolving door between politics and the private sector. His unique perspective as a former head of government, particularly one deeply involved in early AI regulation efforts, is seen as a valuable asset for global technology leaders as they navigate complex geopolitical and regulatory landscapes during a period of rapid technological change.