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UK Shake-Up: Hands AI a Direct Line to PM After Scrapping Tech Department

Days after abolishing DSIT, created by former PM Rishi Sunak, and giving AI its first-ever seat at the Cabinet table, the UK has launched a new AI Taskforce, with Patrick Vallance as Chair reporting directly to current PM Andy Burnham, and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan leading it from Cabinet.
Entrance to the Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall, London, with a gold "Cabinet Office" nameplate beside the doorway.
July 25, 2026 03:21 PM IST | Written by Pratima O Pareek

Following a major Whitehall reshuffle and the appointment of a Cabinet-level AI Minister, the UK government has launched a new AI Taskforce to drive the country’s AI strategy.

The Taskforce, chaired by Patrick Vallance, who led the Vaccines Taskforce during the Covid-19 pandemic, will report directly to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, placing AI at the centre of government decision-making for the first time.

His appointment comes just days after he stepped down as Science Minister. The move follows the abolition of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), which was created by former Indian-origin British prime minister Rishi Sunak in February 2023, bringing together technology, digital, science and innovation responsibilities from across Whitehall.

Born in Bihar, India, AI Minister Kanishka Narayan will lead the Taskforce and attend Cabinet, while Vallance reports to the PM.

The Taskforce announcement follows Narayan’s appointment just days earlier, on 20 July, as Minister of State (Minister for Artificial Intelligence), a new Cabinet-level post created as part of newly sworn-in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first ministerial reshuffle.

Burnham took office as Prime Minister that same day, 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer, becoming the UK’s 7th prime minister in a decade. His appointment also drew international reaction, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen looking to strengthen the EU-UK partnership.

Announcing the role, Narayan said in a post on X that the appointment was “a sign of his deep commitment to AI’s importance,” adding that its impact “will dwarf other things.” The appointment also drew praise from industry, including from Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis in a post on X.


The Taskforce was reportedly proposed to Burnham’s team by Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo, who has said government adoption of AI is a top priority.

Narayan also reflected on his working relationship with Vallance in a post on X.


“Patrick Vallance will bring extensive scientific, technical and public sector experience in his role as Chair,” the government said.

According to the government, modelled on the Vaccines Taskforce, the new unit is designed to give AI policy clear accountability to the Prime Minister and speed up delivery across government. Its core purpose will be directing and implementing the UK’s AI strategy.

“AI is rapidly changing our world and we need to make sure it works for everyone. The opportunities are huge if we get it right, and I want AI to power a new industrial revolution that drives good growth in every postcode,” Prime Minister Burnham said.

Vallance, who has also been appointed Chair of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, said the appointment reflects the government’s broader commitment to AI and science and technology. “This government is sending a signal that’s clearer than ever before about its commitment to realizing the opportunities of AI and Science and Technology,” Vallance said.

“AI is likely the most significant technology in human history. That is why it is now at the UK Cabinet’s table, so we can reindustrialize with AI, secure our country, and support our public services,” Narayan said.

The wider reshuffle has drawn mixed reactions from industry figures, advisers and policymakers, with some warning the changes could slow momentum on AI policy, while others argued the new structure better reflects how deeply technology now cuts across government.

Also Read: China’s Kimi K3 Lags Top U.S. Frontier AI Models in Cybersecurity Tests: US CAISI, UK AISI

Author

  • Pratima Pareek, Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage

    Pratima O Pareek is an Editor and Co-Founder of AI FrontPage. A gold medalist in Mass Communication and Journalism, she's worked across national and international newsrooms, bringing sharp editorial instincts and a commitment to clarity. She believes in cutting through the noise to deliver stories that actually matter.
    Off the clock, she watches offbeat cinema, follows tennis, and explores new places like a traveler, not a tourist.

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