Rishi Sunak, the former UK prime minister, has taken on advisory roles with Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic, according to letters published by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba). The roles were approved with conditions to prevent conflicts of interest, as Sunak will not lobby or influence UK policy.
Sunak, who was prime minister from October 2022 to July 2024, will provide strategic advice on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends. His salary from both positions will be donated to the Richmond Project, a charity he founded with his wife to boost social mobility through numeracy.
Microsoft, valued at $3.9tn, has significant UK government contracts, including a £1.4bn yearly deal for digital transformation and AI services. Acoba noted risks of unfair advantage due to Sunak's access to information, but approved the role with guardrails. Sunak follows Nick Clegg, former deputy PM, in advising a Silicon Valley giant.
Anthropic, a $180bn AI startup behind Claude AI tools, is a leader in artificial general intelligence. Its CEO Dario Amodei has predicted AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. Acoba stated there was no evidence Sunak took decisions in office expecting this role, but concerns about access and influence remain.
A spokesperson for Anthropic welcomed Sunak, citing his early recognition of AI's potential and his establishment of the AI Safety Institute. The role is part-time, internally focused, and compliant with Acoba conditions.
