LONDON (Diya TV) — Britain has named India-born Labour lawmaker Kanishka Narayan as the country’s first dedicated Minister for Artificial Intelligence, giving the role Cabinet-level status as Prime Minister Andy Burnham begins a major government reshuffle.
The appointment marks a significant step in the UK’s effort to strengthen its artificial intelligence strategy. It also signals the government’s plan to place AI at the center of economic growth, innovation and public policy.
Burnham officially took office on Monday after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. He became Britain’s seventh prime minister in just over a decade. Soon after taking office, he announced a series of Cabinet changes. As part of those moves, Narayan received an expanded role focused entirely on artificial intelligence.
Narayan will serve jointly in the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business and Trade. In addition, he will attend Cabinet meetings. That change makes him the first British minister dedicated only to artificial intelligence while taking part in top-level government discussions.
Narayan previously served as minister for online safety and artificial intelligence under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, his new position separates AI from online safety. As a result, he will focus exclusively on shaping Britain’s AI policies and future investments.
Narayan was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and spent his early childhood there before moving to Delhi. Later, his family relocated to Cardiff, Wales, when he was 12 years old. He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford. After that, he earned an MBA from Stanford University.
Before entering politics, Narayan worked across both the private and public sectors. In the 2024 general election, he became Wales’ first ethnic minority Member of Parliament after winning the Vale of Glamorgan seat. His victory also reflected Labour’s return to power for the first time since 2010.
The UK government sees artificial intelligence as a major driver of future economic growth. Therefore, Burnham’s decision to elevate the AI portfolio highlights the technology’s growing importance across government.
Britain already hosts several leading AI companies and research organizations. These include Google DeepMind, Wayve and ElevenLabs. The country also has a strong engineering workforce and a growing technology sector. Even so, Britain has faced challenges in expanding AI infrastructure. Some major projects, including a planned OpenAI-backed data center, have experienced delays or cancellations because of high energy costs and regulatory concerns.
Despite those concerns, Narayan has defended Britain’s AI strategy. He has argued that the country’s policies continue to attract investment. He has also rejected claims that electricity prices or regulations are driving technology companies away.
Meanwhile, European governments continue to debate “tech sovereignty.” The discussion centers on reducing dependence on American technology companies while building stronger domestic AI industries. France and Germany have pushed for greater European technological independence. Now, Burnham and Narayan will help shape Britain’s response to that debate.
The Cabinet reshuffle also brought several other leadership changes. Former Defence Secretary John Healey became Chancellor. Ed Miliband took over as Foreign Secretary. Wes Streeting became Defence Secretary. Shabana Mahmood remained Home Secretary. Jonathan Reynolds was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. Stephen Kinnock became Secretary of State for Wales. Hamish Falconer took on the role of Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations.
The government also retained Indian-origin minister Lisa Nandy as Culture Secretary. In addition to her existing responsibilities, she will oversee digital transformation across the department.
In his first speech outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham promised to tackle Britain’s cost-of-living crisis through a 10-year plan. He also pledged to revive industry, expand regional decision-making and deliver greater political stability after years of leadership changes.
Narayan’s promotion comes at a time when governments around the world are increasing investment in artificial intelligence. As Britain seeks to compete with leading global technology hubs, his role is expected to influence national AI policy, encourage innovation and support the country’s long-term economic ambitions.
