AI minister role boosted but tech department axed in Burnham shake-up
The UK government has undergone a cabinet reshuffle, resulting in the dissolution of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Despite this, the role of the AI minister has been elevated to a cabinet-level position under the new administration.
Why it matters
This signals a shift in how the UK government prioritizes AI governance and administrative structure following a change in leadership.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Philippa Wain Technology reporter Getty Images The UK's new AI minister has already represented the sector at global tech conferences The AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan, will be given a seat at the top table of government but the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been scrapped.
DSIT was created by the Conservative Sunak government in 2023 - its responsibilities will now be split between other government departments.
It means there is no longer a dedicated technology secretary, a position filled by Liz Kendall until she was sacked by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
However, Narayan, who was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer, said the new prime minister inviting him to attend cabinet as minister for AI was a "sign of his deep commitment to AI's importance."
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