Who is Kanishka Narayan, Bihar-born MP picked as UK's AI minister in Andy Burnham's cabinet
As Andy Burnham assumed office as the United Kingdom's new prime minister, he retained Indian-origin Labour MP Kanishka Narayan as minister for artificial intelligence, elevating the portfolio to a cabinet-level position for the first time.
According to Bloomberg, Burnham carried out a major cabinet reshuffle after succeeding Keir Starmer, removing several senior ministers, including technology secretary Liz Kendall, Darren Jones, Rachel Reeves and Peter Kyle.
Narayan, who had been serving as minister for AI and online safety since September 2025 under Starmer, is among the few ministers to retain his role in the new government.
From Bihar to Britain's AI ministry
Born in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur in November 1989, Narayan moved to Cardiff, Wales, with his family at the age of 12. He initially attended Cathays High School before earning a scholarship to Eton College.
He later studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Balliol College, University of Oxford, and went on to complete an MBA from Stanford University.
First ethnic minority MP from Wales
Narayan entered Parliament in the 2024 general election, winning the Vale of Glamorgan seat for Labour 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 Welsh constituency.
Before joining the government, he served as Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between July 2024 and September 2025.
He was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety in September 2025 before being promoted to minister for artificial intelligence in Burnham's cabinet.
Career beyond politics
Before entering elected politics, Narayan worked as a civil servant in the UK Cabinet Office under David Cameron and later at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during Liz Truss's tenure as secretary of state. He also worked in the private sector, advising businesses on financial matters.
His public service extends beyond government. Narayan co-founded Attain Wales, a South Wales-based non-profit focused on improving social mobility and educational opportunities.
According to Bloomberg, Burnham carried out a major cabinet reshuffle after succeeding Keir Starmer, removing several senior ministers, including technology secretary Liz Kendall, Darren Jones, Rachel Reeves and Peter Kyle.
Narayan, who had been serving as minister for AI and online safety since September 2025 under Starmer, is among the few ministers to retain his role in the new government.
From Bihar to Britain's AI ministry
Born in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur in November 1989, Narayan moved to Cardiff, Wales, with his family at the age of 12. He initially attended Cathays High School before earning a scholarship to Eton College.
He later studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Balliol College, University of Oxford, and went on to complete an MBA from Stanford University.
First ethnic minority MP from Wales
Narayan entered Parliament in the 2024 general election, winning the Vale of Glamorgan seat for Labour 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 Welsh constituency.
Before joining the government, he served as Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between July 2024 and September 2025.
He was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety in September 2025 before being promoted to minister for artificial intelligence in Burnham's cabinet.
Career beyond politics
Before entering elected politics, Narayan worked as a civil servant in the UK Cabinet Office under David Cameron and later at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during Liz Truss's tenure as secretary of state. He also worked in the private sector, advising businesses on financial matters.
His public service extends beyond government. Narayan co-founded Attain Wales, a South Wales-based non-profit focused on improving social mobility and educational opportunities.
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