TLDR: Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on part-time senior advisory roles at technology giants Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic. In these positions, he will provide high-level strategic perspectives on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, with a particular focus on AI policy and global strategy. Sunak’s academic background includes a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University and an MBA from Stanford University. His salary from these roles will be donated to The Richmond Project, a numeracy charity he co-founded.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has embarked on a new chapter in his career, accepting part-time senior advisory positions at two prominent technology companies: Microsoft and the artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. These appointments, confirmed on October 9, 2025, and publicly reported on October 11, 2025, mark Sunak’s significant move into the private sector since concluding his premiership in July 2024.
At Microsoft, Sunak is slated to offer guidance on global macroeconomics, geopolitical trends, and potential developments in AI and digital policy. His insights are expected to assist the company in understanding how governments might approach emerging technology regulation. Similarly, at Anthropic, a company focused on developing ‘safe’ AI systems, he will function as a ‘think tank’ advisor, concentrating on global AI safety, innovation, and regulatory trends outside the UK. Both roles are strictly advisory, without direct involvement in company operations or management.
Sunak’s academic journey laid a strong foundation for his diverse career. He studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Lincoln College, Oxford, graduating with a first-class degree. He later pursued and earned an MBA from Stanford University in California as a Fulbright Scholar. This educational background, combining humanities, social sciences, and business, is seen as valuable for navigating the complex interplay of technology, policy, and global strategy.
During his tenure as the UK’s 98th Prime Minister from October 2022 to July 2024, Sunak was a vocal advocate for the UK’s leadership in AI safety and regulation. He hosted the inaugural AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in November 2023, engaging with top executives from major AI firms like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic, and emphasizing the importance of responsible AI development. This prior engagement with the AI sector underscores his continued interest and expertise in the field.
The appointments have been approved by the UK’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which imposed strict ethical conditions. These include a two-year ban preventing Sunak from lobbying UK government officials on behalf of either company, a prohibition on drawing upon privileged government information, and restrictions on advising on UK policy or contracts. These measures aim to prevent any potential conflicts of interest or undue influence.
Notably, Sunak has pledged to donate all earnings from his roles at Microsoft and Anthropic to The Richmond Project, a numeracy charity he co-founded with his wife in February 2025. The charity is dedicated to helping children who struggle with mathematics, adding an altruistic dimension to his new professional endeavors. This move also keeps him visible on both the public and global stages, aligning with a broader trend of former politicians transitioning into the technology sector.
Microsoft’s substantial investments in UK AI infrastructure, including a recent £30 billion commitment, highlight the strategic importance of understanding future regulation and investment environments, making Sunak’s expertise particularly relevant. Anthropic, backed by investors including Google, also expressed enthusiasm for Sunak’s involvement, noting his early recognition of AI’s transformative potential and his efforts in establishing the world’s first AI Safety Institute. A spokesperson for Anthropic stated, “His experience will provide valuable strategic perspective as we work to ensure AI benefits humanity.”
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Sunak himself expressed excitement about his new roles, stating, “I have long believed that technology will transform our world and play a key part in determining our future. We stand on the edge of a technological revolution whose impacts will be as profound as those of the industrial revolution: and felt more quickly. In my role as a senior adviser, I want to help these companies ensure that this shift delivers the improvements in all of our lives that it can.”
