Kanishka Narayan

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham dissolved the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), redistributing its responsibilities across three departments. The Government Digital Service and a new AI minister role were moved to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), raising concerns about fragmented tech governance and policy coherence.

Andy Burnham’s cabinet includes Oxbridge-educated members like Kanishka Narayan, who attended Eton and Balliol College on a scholarship. Narayan, born in India and raised in Wales, moved with his family to Cardiff and lived in a one-bedroom home before his education. The cabinet’s composition is viewed as both a sign of diversity and a backward step in class representation.

Burnham's push to 'reindustrialise' Britain will focus on chips and drones, according to an AI minister who stated technology is key for the country to 'get its mojo back'.

Kanishka Narayan will attend cabinet, but the role of technology secretary has been removed. The AI minister role has been elevated in a reorganization referred to as the Burnham shake-up.

The UK government plans a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, disabling auto-play features by default to reduce online harm. Critics argue the voluntary nature may limit effectiveness, while officials cite pilot program data showing reduced usage. The measures require legislation and follow a previous ban for under-16s.

The UK government announced a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, disabling features like auto-playing videos by default. Critics question effectiveness due to teens' ability to override settings, while officials cite pilot data showing reduced usage and improved sleep. The measures follow a separate ban for under-16s and require legislation.

UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan stated that AI and technology will remain a priority under the next prime minister, Andy Burnham, emphasizing its importance for the UK's economy, national security, and geopolitical power. Narayan and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall have discussed AI's role with Burnham, acknowledging public concerns about job losses but highlighting opportunities for economic progress and reindustrialization.

Anthropic has suspended access to its latest AI models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 following a U.S. government order restricting non-U.S. users, citing concerns over potential jailbreaking and cybersecurity risks. The decision has prompted discussions in Europe and the U.K. about AI technological sovereignty.

The UK’s online safety minister visited Australia to study its under-16s social media ban as the British government considers a similar crackdown. The UK may restrict teen access to social media, including age limits or design changes, following a public consultation.

British MPs are urging the government to tighten online safety laws, arguing social media companies should face scrutiny similar to products linked to serious harm. The UK's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee says there is strong evidence linking social media use to harms affecting young people. The committee is calling for stronger legal obligations and effective age verification systems.