Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed as a senior adviser to technology giant Microsoft and artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, marking a significant new chapter in his career after leaving office in 2024. In these part-time roles, Sunak will provide high-level strategic advice on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and their intersection with technology, economy, security, and society[1][2][4].
Sunak, who remains a Member of Parliament representing Richm...
Sunak, who remains a Member of Parliament representing Richmond and Northallerton in northern England, announced on social media that he will donate his full compensation from these advisory roles to The Richmond Project, a charity he and his wife Akshata Murty founded to improve numeracy skills across the UK[1][2][4]. This philanthropic gesture aims to bolster educational outcomes in mathematics for both children and adults.
His appointments were reviewed and cleared by the UK Advisor...
His appointments were reviewed and cleared by the UK Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which stipulated that Sunak must not lobby the UK government on behalf of Microsoft or Anthropic to avoid conflicts of interest. The committee expressed concern about potential perceptions of unfair advantage due to Sunak’s former role as prime minister, especially amid ongoing debates over AI regulation and government contracts involving Microsoft[2][5].
Sunak’s new advisory role at Microsoft involves working with...
Sunak’s new advisory role at Microsoft involves working with senior executives to provide strategic perspectives on global economic and geopolitical developments, reflecting his expertise gained during his political tenure and prior financial sector experience. At Anthropic, a leading AI research lab, Sunak will similarly advise on how AI can be harnessed responsibly to benefit economies and societies while addressing security challenges[1][4].
Before entering politics, Sunak had an extensive career in f...
Before entering politics, Sunak had an extensive career in finance, including analyst and hedge fund roles, and more recently rejoined Goldman Sachs as a senior adviser in July 2025[1][2][5]. His move into Silicon Valley tech advisory roles follows a pattern of former UK political leaders transitioning into influential positions in global technology firms, similar to former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s role at Meta.
During his premiership from October 2022 to July 2024, Sunak...
During his premiership from October 2022 to July 2024, Sunak prioritized technology and AI, hosting a national AI summit in 2023 and launching the UK’s AI Safety Institute to promote safe and ethical AI development[1]. His new roles with Microsoft and Anthropic align with his longstanding belief in technology’s transformative potential and his commitment to shaping how it serves public and economic interests[4].
This strategic collaboration between Sunak and leading tech...
This strategic collaboration between Sunak and leading tech companies underscores the growing importance of AI and digital transformation in global policymaking and economic strategy, as governments and corporations navigate the evolving landscape of technology governance and innovation[1][4][5].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 2:40:47 PM
In a significant development, former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed as a senior adviser to Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic, focusing on strategic perspectives on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends without lobbying the UK government[3][7]. Sunak, who remains a Member of Parliament, will donate his salary from these roles to his charity, The Richmond Project[5][11]. This move comes after his return to Goldman Sachs as a senior adviser in July, marking a broader foray into the technology sector following his tenure as PM from 2022 to 2024[5][7].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 2:50:48 PM
The appointment of ex-UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as senior adviser to Microsoft and Anthropic has sparked mixed public and consumer reactions. While some applaud his expertise, concerns dominate, with the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments highlighting fears that Sunak’s privileged government knowledge might give Microsoft an unfair advantage, especially amid intense global AI regulation debates[1]. Critics worry about potential conflicts of interest, though Sunak pledged to avoid lobbying and to donate his entire salary from these roles to his numeracy charity, The Richmond Project[5][10].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 3:00:57 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed as a senior adviser to Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic, with strict regulatory conditions imposed by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA). He is barred from advising on UK policy matters, having contact with the UK government, or lobbying for these companies, with a two-year lobbying ban from his last day in office; his advisory role is limited to internal strategy and macroeconomic-geopolitical issues, fully ring-fenced to prevent conflicts of interest[1][7][13]. ACOBA expressed concern that Sunak's privileged government knowledge could unfairly benefit Microsoft amid ongoing global debates on AI regulation, so these safeguards are designed to maintain transparency and fairness[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 3:10:55 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed as a senior adviser to Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic, where he will provide high-level strategic insights on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends intersecting with technology and society[1][8][10]. Sunak, who previously brokered a £2.5 billion AI and data center investment deal with Microsoft in 2023, will focus on guiding strategy without engaging in UK policy or lobbying, addressing critical issues of AI’s economic and security impact amid global regulatory debates[1][10]. He will donate his advisory earnings to The Richmond Project, his charity promoting numeracy in the UK[5][7][10].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 3:20:54 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic as a senior adviser, providing high-level strategic perspectives on macro-economic and geopolitical trends related to technology and society[3][7]. Experts note concerns from the UK's Advisory Committee on Business Appointments about potential conflicts of interest, given Microsoft's £2.5 billion investment in UK data centers announced during Sunak's tenure, though Sunak pledges to avoid lobbying and will donate his advisory salary to charity[3]. Industry analysts highlight Sunak's advisory role as emblematic of growing ties between government experience and the tech sector's strategic planning amid AI’s expanding global impact[7][11].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 3:30:52 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed senior adviser to Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic, under strict conditions imposed by the UK Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) to prevent conflicts of interest. Sunak is prohibited from advising on UK policy matters or engaging with UK government officials on behalf of these companies for two years post-office and must not use any privileged government information to benefit either firm[1][4][8]. Both companies have committed to "ring-fencing" his role to strategic, macroeconomic, and geopolitical advice only, explicitly excluding lobbying activities, amid ongoing intense debates about AI regulation globally[1][8].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 3:40:55 PM
Ex-UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's appointment as a senior adviser to Microsoft and Anthropic has sparked mixed consumer and public reactions, with some criticizing his pivot to tech due to his past perceived disconnect during the UK’s cost-of-living crisis. Political opponents highlight concerns over his wealth and previous investment roles, suggesting potential undue influence, while official advisory bodies warned against lobbying to avoid conflicts of interest. However, Sunak pledged to donate all earnings to his charity focused on numeracy, aiming to mitigate criticism and emphasize public benefit[2][3][6].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 3:51:09 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed senior adviser to Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic, where he will provide high-level strategic perspectives on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends affecting technology and society worldwide[1][2][4]. His role, which he holds part-time, excludes lobbying activities, and his salary will be donated to The Richmond Project, a charity focused on improving numeracy in the UK[2][3][6]. This move is seen internationally as a signal of bridging government experience with leading AI and tech firms to address global challenges around technology’s role in economies, security, and policy regulation amid ongoing debates on AI governance[3][6].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:01:17 PM
As Rishi Sunak, the former UK Prime Minister, takes on senior advisory roles at Microsoft and Anthropic, some consumers have expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given his past involvement in U.K. government contracts with Microsoft. Public reaction has been mixed, with some praising his strategic insights and others questioning the ethics of his new roles. Sunak has assured that he will not lobby the government on behalf of these companies and will donate his compensation to charity, as advised by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) [2][3][6].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:11:17 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on senior advisory roles at Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic, focusing on providing "high-level strategic perspectives on macro-economic and geopolitical trends," according to the UK Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA). The committee advised Sunak, who remains an MP, explicitly **not to lobby the government on behalf of Microsoft or Anthropic**[4][6]. Sunak confirmed he will not personally profit, donating his salary to his charity, The Richmond Project, while abiding by all parliamentary rules regarding conflicts of interest[4][6].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:21:22 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who served as PM from October 2022 to July 2024, was formally appointed as a part-time senior adviser to both Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic in late September and early October 2025, according to disclosures published by the UK’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA)[4][3]. Sunak will focus on “providing high-level strategic perspectives on macro-economic and geopolitical trends” but is barred from government affairs or lobbying—an explicit condition due to concerns his privileged access could give Microsoft an “unfair advantage,” ACOBA stated, referencing Microsoft’s ongoing £2.5 billion UK government contracts and the sensitive global debate over AI regulation[3][
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:31:37 PM
Consumer and public reaction to ex-PM Rishi Sunak’s new advisory roles at Microsoft and Anthropic is mixed, with some praising his commitment to donate his salary to charity while critics question potential conflicts of interest given his political background and wealth. Political opponents and parts of the public have expressed concern that Sunak’s Silicon Valley pivot may highlight an elite disconnect during ongoing cost-of-living challenges in the UK, echoing prior criticisms of his tenure as PM[2][6]. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments also flagged worries about possible unfair access to government influence, although Sunak pledged to avoid lobbying and focus solely on high-level strategic advice[3][6].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:41:42 PM
**Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) shares rose 1.8% to $453.90 in early trading Friday, outpacing the broader Nasdaq’s 0.6% gain, as investors reacted to news that former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will serve as a senior advisor on tech and AI strategy, with analysts citing elevated interest in the company’s deepening ties to international government and policy leaders during a pivotal period for global AI regulation[1].**
**Anthropic, a private AI startup, has not disclosed financial terms of Sunak’s appointment, but industry sources note the move signals heightened competition for high-profile government-facing talent as firms jockey for influence ahead of anticipated US and UK AI legislation in late
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 4:51:42 PM
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed senior adviser to Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic, providing high-level strategic advice on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends shaping technology's future. Experts highlight his unique position, given his experience launching the UK’s AI Safety Institute and his extensive background in finance, as a strong asset for navigating AI’s societal and economic impacts. However, the UK advisory watchdog ACOBA cautions that Sunak must avoid lobbying government on these companies’ behalf to prevent conflicts of interest, underscoring the delicate balance between his political legacy and industry influence[1][2][3][4][6].
🔄 Updated: 10/10/2025, 5:01:33 PM
In response to the news of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joining Microsoft and Anthropic as a senior adviser, consumer and public reaction has been mixed. Many have expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given Sunak's past roles and ongoing position as a Member of Parliament. As of October 10, 2025, comments on social media platforms showed a divide, with some users praising his strategic insight and others criticizing his move as a potential ethical issue.