TLDRs;
- Rishi Sunak joins Microsoft and Anthropic as paid adviser, focusing on AI strategy and policy.
- UK watchdog Acoba restricts him from lobbying or aiding government contracts for two years.
- Sunak will donate all earnings to his education charity, The Richmond Project.
- The former PM says AI’s rise mirrors the industrial revolution in scale and impact
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has officially joined Microsoft and Anthropic as a paid adviser, marking his most significant move into the private sector since leaving Downing Street.
The decision comes amid rising interest in the intersection of politics, artificial intelligence, and global technology governance, areas where Sunak previously played a major policy role.
According to a report from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), Sunak’s new roles involve offering “high-level strategic perspectives” to Microsoft and contributing to internal analysis at Anthropic, the artificial intelligence startup behind the Claude AI models.
Despite stepping into two lucrative positions, Sunak has stated that all proceeds from his new advisory work will go toward The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife to improve numeracy skills in the UK.
Watchdog Imposes Strict Ethical Conditions
The Acoba watchdog, which monitors post-government employment for former ministers, has set clear boundaries for Sunak’s involvement with the two companies. The committee ruled that he must not lobby UK ministers or assist in securing government contracts on behalf of either Microsoft or Anthropic for two years following his time in office.
The guidance reflects broader concerns about potential “unfair access and influence,” given that both Microsoft and Anthropic hold substantial interests in UK tech and AI policy. Microsoft is a major investor in UK data infrastructure, while Anthropic, a major competitor to OpenAI, Google, and Meta, has deepened its UK footprint following the country’s push to become a leader in AI safety and governance.
Acoba further noted that while Sunak’s insights as a former prime minister carry value, the passage of time since leaving office has likely diminished the relevance of any confidential government information he once held.
Focus on AI and Policy
Sunak’s move into AI advisory work reflects his longstanding passion for technology. During his tenure as prime minister, he made AI regulation and safety central to his administration’s innovation strategy.
His government organized the AI Safety Summit in 2023, an event that placed the UK at the forefront of international discussions on responsible AI development.
In a statement shared on social media, Sunak said he intends to use his new advisory roles to ensure that “technological change delivers improvements in all of our lives.” He described the current AI wave as comparable to the industrial revolution, noting that its impacts will be “felt more quickly” and with “profound consequences for every aspect of society.”
From No. 10 to Silicon Valley Ties
Before his political career, Sunak worked at Goldman Sachs between 2001 and 2004, and it has been confirmed that he will also serve as an adviser to the investment bank, his third high-profile private sector appointment.
Speculation had previously suggested Sunak might return to California or join a Silicon Valley venture firm following the 2024 election. The former PM still owns property in the state and once held a US green card. However, during his final parliamentary session, he vowed to remain active in his Yorkshire constituency, describing it as “the greatest place on Earth.”
Sunak’s new tech-centered roles, balanced with his political and charitable commitments, signal a unique blend of public service, business acumen, and policy insight, reinforcing his belief that technology will shape the next era of global progress.
