Rishi Sunak joins Microsoft and Anthropic: Former UK PM enters tech, AI arena

Months after returning to Goldman Sachs, former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is digging deeper in the corporate world as he has decided to join Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic as a senior adviser.

This move marks his shift from frontline politics to the tech and AI space, following his resignation as Conservative Party leader earlier this year.

Even as he continues to serve as a Member of Parliament, Sunak’s part-time advisory roles highlight his ongoing influence in shaping global technology strategies and AI development, a field he championed during his time as Prime Minister.

Strategic roles in global tech giants

In these advisory roles, Rishi Sunak will be bringing his experience to some of the biggest questions in tech, things like global economic trends, geopolitics, and AI policy.

At Microsoft, he will be working closely with senior leaders on innovation, regulation, and digital transformation, and he will even take part in events like the upcoming Microsoft Summit.

Over at Anthropic, the AI lab backed by Amazon and Google, his role is more like joining an internal think tank, helping shape global strategy rather than diving into UK-specific policies.

Both companies have big stakes in the UK tech scene: Microsoft recently pledged £22 billion for AI infrastructure, and Anthropic is collaborating with the UK government on AI projects for public services.

With his background in tech regulation, especially leading the 2023 AI Safety Summit, Sunak is well-positioned to advise on how AI and technology can transform economies and societies.

As he shared on LinkedIn, he’s “excited to help these two companies as they address the big strategic questions about how to make tech work for our economies, our security, and our society.”

Political dynamics

Sunak’s new roles didn’t just happen overnight as they went through a careful review and were approved by the UK’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA).

To keep things above board, he has some clear rules to follow: for the next two years, he can’t lobby UK ministers or officials on behalf of Microsoft or Anthropic, and he won’t be advising either company on UK policy.

On top of that, he’s not allowed to use any insider knowledge from his time as prime minister.

Highlighting his commitment to giving back, Sunak has also pledged to donate all earnings from these roles to The Richmond Project, the charity he co-founded with his wife, Akshata Murty.

The charity’s mission is all about helping people across the UK build confidence with numbers, a cause that’s clearly close to their hearts.

Stepping into senior advisory roles at Microsoft and Anthropic is a big shift for Sunak, moving from frontline politics into the fast-paced world of tech and AI.

With his experience in policy, economics, and regulation, he’s in a strong position to help these companies, and maybe the wider industry, navigate global technology strategies and AI governance.