UK PM Burnham appoints Kanishka Narayan as first cabinet-level AI minister
- Kanishka Narayan, born in Bihar, becomes UK's first AI minister with cabinet rank
- The standalone Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is being dismantled
- AI responsibilities will be centralised under the new cabinet-level role
Burnham restructures cabinet, elevates AI role
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reshuffled his cabinet, promoting Bihar-born Labour MP Kanishka Narayan to the newly created role of AI minister — the first such position to have a seat at the cabinet table.
The move signals a sharp pivot toward artificial intelligence governance, but comes at a cost. Burnham has also decided to abolish the standalone Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), absorbing its functions into other ministries.
Kanishka Narayan: From Bihar to Whitehall
Narayan, who was elected to Parliament in 2024 from a Welsh constituency, was born in Bihar and moved to the UK as a child. His rapid ascent under Burnham reflects the prime minister's push to place technology policy at the heart of government decision-making.
Until now, AI oversight was spread across several departments. Narayan's new brief will centralise AI strategy, ethics, and regulation under a single minister who can directly influence spending and legislation.
Officials have not yet confirmed the full scope of his portfolio, but early indications suggest he will coordinate cross-departmental AI projects and represent the UK at international tech summits.
DCMS dismantled after years of expansion
The DCMS, which oversaw digital policy, broadcasting, sports, and the creative industries, is being broken up. Its technology and digital functions will move to a revamped business department. Culture and sport portfolios are expected to shift to other ministries.
Critics have argued the department had become unwieldy, juggling everything from online safety to Wimbledon. Burnham's decision to scrap it is his most significant structural change to Whitehall since taking office.
Industry groups have offered cautious support, but some warn that splitting digital policy across departments could create coordination gaps. The government has said it will publish a detailed transition plan within weeks.
What happens next
Narayan is expected to outline his AI priorities in a speech later this month. Parliament will also debate the DCMS abolition bill before the summer recess. The opposition has called for a full impact assessment on the creative industries.