Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on advisory roles with global tech giant Microsoft and leading artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic, marking his return to the technology and finance sectors.
Sunak, who remains the Conservative MP for Richmond and Northallerton, announced that all proceeds from these positions will be donated to The Richmond Project—a charitable initiative he co-founded with his wife to tackle numeracy challenges across the UK. The move underscores his long-standing interest in education, technology, and innovation.
Balancing Tech Advisory Roles with Public Duties
In his new capacity, Sunak will work closely with both Microsoft and Anthropic, providing high-level strategic insights on technology, geopolitics, and AI governance. According to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), his role at Microsoft will focus on offering “strategic perspectives” on global trends, while his part-time position at Anthropic will function more like an “internal think tank,” contributing to the firm’s mission of building safe and trustworthy AI systems.
However, Acoba has placed clear restrictions on Sunak’s appointments to prevent potential conflicts of interest. The independent watchdog, which regulates former ministers taking up new roles, has barred him from lobbying UK ministers or advising on government contracts for a period of two years following his premiership.
A Continued Focus on AI and Technology
Sunak has long positioned himself as a proponent of responsible AI development. During his time in office, he made technology regulation a top priority and launched the UK’s first AI Safety Summit in 2023. His appointment with Anthropic—a company competing with AI heavyweights such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta—reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing AI innovation while balancing concerns over safety and ethics.
Similarly, Microsoft, a major investor in the UK and one of the world’s largest technology companies, stands to benefit from Sunak’s global economic and political expertise. Acoba noted that both roles could raise questions of “unfair access and influence” but acknowledged that his time out of government has reduced the value of sensitive information he may still hold.
Beyond Tech: Expanding His Portfolio
In addition to his tech advisory positions, Sunak has also been confirmed as a paid advisor to Goldman Sachs, the investment bank where he began his career in the early 2000s. The combination of roles across technology and finance highlights his return to sectors where he has both personal experience and long-standing interest.
Despite speculation that he might relocate to Silicon Valley after leaving No.10, Sunak has chosen to remain in UK politics while balancing his global advisory commitments. In his final Prime Minister’s Questions, he pledged to dedicate more time to his Yorkshire constituency, describing it as “the greatest place on Earth.”
Sunak’s Vision for the Future
Posting on social media, Sunak emphasized that his new positions are aligned with his belief in technology as a transformative force. He stated:
“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.”
By donating his earnings to charity, Sunak aims to ensure that his work in the private sector benefits the public good. His decision reflects a blend of political responsibility, technological optimism, and a personal mission to improve education in the UK.
Read More: EU Pushes for Made-in-Europe AI to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Providers
