Indian-origin Labour MP Kanishka Narayan has been appointed the UK’s Minister for AI by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, marking a major milestone in the country’s approach to artificial intelligence.
Narayan, who represents the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, will become the first UK AI minister to attend Cabinet, giving artificial intelligence a direct seat at the heart of government decision-making.
He had previously served as Minister for AI and Online Safety under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer since September 2025. His new role comes as the UK looks to strengthen its position in the global AI race and address the technology’s growing impact on jobs, national security and public services.
Narayan has said that AI presents both enormous opportunities and serious risks, with countries facing a limited window to shape how the technology develops.
Born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Narayan moved to Cardiff with his family at the age of 12. He later studied at Oxford and Stanford before entering politics. In 2024, he became the first ethnic minority MP elected from Wales.
His appointment places an Indian-origin politician at the centre of the UK’s AI policy as the country seeks to shape its role in the rapidly evolving global artificial intelligence landscape.
