Indian-origin Labor MP Kanishka Narayan
When Andy Burnham took over as the new UK Prime Minister, he retained Indian-origin Labor MP Kanishka Narayan as AI Minister, elevating the department to a Cabinet-level position for the first time.According to Bloomberg, Burnham undertook a major cabinet reshuffle after succeeding Keir Starmer, sacking several senior ministers, including Technology Minister Liz Kendall, Darren Jones, Rachel Reeves, and Peter Kyle.Narayan, who has been serving as Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Online Safety since September 2025 under Starmer, is among the few ministers to retain his role in the new government.Speaking to
From Bihar to the British Ministry of Artificial Intelligence
Narayan was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar in November 1989, and moved to Cardiff, Wales with his family at the age of 12. He initially attended Cathay High School before winning a scholarship to Eton College.He later studied philosophy, politics and economics at Balliol College, University of Oxford, and then earned an MBA from Stanford University.
The first ethnic minority MP from Wales
Narayan entered Parliament at the 2024 general election, winning the Vale of Glamorgan seat for Labor from the Conservatives and ending the party’s 14-year absence from the constituency.
His election also made him the first ethnic minority MP to represent a constituency in Wales.Before joining government, he served as Parliamentary Special Secretary in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between July 2024 and September 2025.He was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Cyber Safety in September 2025 before being promoted to AI Minister in Burnham’s government.
A career outside politics
Before entering elected politics, Narayan worked as a civil servant in the UK Cabinet Office under David Cameron and then in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during Liz Truss’s tenure as Foreign Secretary. He also worked in the private sector, advising companies on financial matters.His public service extends beyond government. Narayan co-founded Attain Wales, a non-profit organization based in South Wales focused on improving social mobility and educational opportunities.He also launched the Help Your High Street campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic, served as a trustee of Citizens Advice, and was a member of the advisory committee at Chatham House. He has also volunteered with Citizens Advice and the Trussell Trust.
Artificial intelligence policy in focus
Narayan’s appointment comes at a time when Britain’s artificial intelligence strategy is under close international scrutiny.According to Bloomberg, the UK remains home to leading AI companies such as Google DeepMind, ElevenLabs and Wayve, but has faced criticism over policy uncertainty and delays in major digital infrastructure projects, including the proposed OpenAI data centre.Burnham has so far outlined few details about his technology agenda, but he and Narayan are expected to outline the government’s approach to AI as Europe discusses technological sovereignty and reducing reliance on AI models developed in the United States.