Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on new advisory roles at Microsoft and Anthropic, signaling a return to the technology sector that shaped much of his political and professional career.
Sunak, who remains Member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton, said he was “delighted” to be working with “two of the world’s leading tech firms” and plans to donate all earnings from these positions to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife to improve numeracy skills in the UK.
Tech Advisory Roles Under Watchdog Scrutiny
Both positions were approved by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), the UK watchdog overseeing the post-government employment of senior officials.
Acoba stated that Sunak must not lobby ministers or government departments on behalf of either company and is barred from advising on any bids for UK public contracts for two years following his departure from office in July 2024.
His part-time role with Microsoft will involve providing “high-level strategic perspectives” on geopolitical and economic trends, while his position at Anthropic will focus on AI policy, ethics, and research development, similar to an “internal think tank.”
The committee acknowledged that both companies have “significant interests” in UK tech policy, noting the potential for perceived “unfair access or influence.” However, it added that the passage of time since Sunak left government had reduced the value of any privileged information he may have retained.
A Familiar Focus On Artificial Intelligence
The appointments reflect Sunak’s enduring interest in technology and AI governance, areas he championed while in office. As prime minister, he organized the landmark AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in 2023, which brought together world leaders, researchers, and tech executives to discuss global safeguards for artificial intelligence.
At the time, Sunak argued that responsible innovation could make the UK a “global leader in safe AI”, balancing technological advancement with public safety and transparency.
Anthropic, founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, is one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent AI firms and a key competitor to Google DeepMind, Meta, and OpenAI itself. Microsoft, meanwhile, is a major investor in AI infrastructure and holds a multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI.
Return To His Tech Roots
Before entering politics, Sunak worked for Goldman Sachs between 2001 and 2004, later co-founding investment firms focused on technology and innovation. His appointment as a paid advisor to Goldman Sachs was confirmed earlier this year, alongside his new technology roles.
There had been widespread speculation that Sunak might relocate to Silicon Valley after leaving office, given his previous residence in California and past U.S. visa status. However, he has chosen to remain in the UK Parliament for now.
In his final Prime Minister’s Questions session, Sunak declared, “If anyone needs me, I’ll be in Yorkshire,” pledging to spend more time in his constituency.
Sunak On The Future Of Technology
In a post announcing his new positions, Sunak said his work with Microsoft and Anthropic will help ensure that technological change benefits society as a whole.
“I have long believed that technology will transform our world and play a key part in determining our future,” he wrote. “We stand on the edge of a technological revolution whose impact will be as profound as the Industrial Revolution — only faster.”
While his new advisory roles have drawn both admiration and scrutiny, Sunak’s supporters say the appointments reaffirm his long-standing belief that the UK must stay at the forefront of the AI revolution — balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.
