An Indian-origin man is UK’s first AI minister. Kanishka Narayan was born in Bihar

Kanishka Narayan from Muzaffarpur has been appointed as the AI minister in the UK Cabinet. He moved to Cardiff with his family when he was 12 years old.

Kanishka Narayan was elected as the MP for Vale of Glamorgan in July 2024 | X/@KanishkaNarayan

New Delhi: Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opted to retain Kanishka Narayan as the minister for artificial intelligence and elevated the portfolio to a Cabinet-level position.

“The Prime Minister, @andyburnham, today asked me to attend Cabinet as Minister for AI, a sign of his deep commitment to AI’s importance,” Narayan tweeted on 21 July (IST).

First appointed as AI minister by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 7 September 2025, Narayan served in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He was elected as the MP for Vale of Glamorgan in July 2024.

“Nations have a narrow window to decide whether they shape AI or get shaped by it. Britain is in that window right now. While that window is still open, I will act with pace, I will act with ambition, and I will focus relentlessly on securing British influence in shaping AI,” Narayan wrote in his tweet.

The Prime Minister, @andyburnham, today asked me to attend Cabinet as Minister for AI, a sign of his deep commitment to AI's importance.

AI is likely the most significant technology in human history. Its impact will dwarf other things.

The best case for it is compelling beyond…

— Kanishka Narayan MP (@KanishkaNarayan) July 20, 2026

Bihar to Balliol

Born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Narayan moved to Cardiff, Wales when he was 12 years old. He studied at Cathays High School before attending Eton College on scholarship.

He went on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Balliol College, University of Oxford, and holds an MBA from Stanford University.

In his post, Narayan paid homage to his constituency in Wales.

“I will also bring to this job the place I represent – a constituency in Wales, a nation with industry and ambition at its heart, a proud history of punching above its weight on the global stage. A nation which welcomed a 12-year old and his family, gave us the best chance at opportunity, put me in Parliament as Wales’ first ethnic minority MP, and now affords me the chance to make a mark in Cabinet. Diolch o galon to everyone in the Vale of Glamorgan,” he wrote.