Kanishka Narayan has become the first-ever Minister for Artificial Intelligence in the United Kingdom, a newly created Cabinet position focused on AI policy, technological innovation and technology governance. He took up the role in July 2026, marking a significant step for the UK's technology sector and reflecting the government's growing focus on artificial intelligence in relation to economic growth and the transformation of public services. Narayan was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and was raised in Cardiff, Wales.
Kanishka Narayan is a UK politician of Indian origin who represents the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. In July 2024, he became the first ethnic minority MP from Wales after winning election to the House of Commons. Before entering politics, he worked in public service and had a career in government and technology policy.
Kanishka Narayan was born in November 1989, and his family moved to Cardiff, Wales, when he was twelve. He completed his schooling at Cathays High School in Cardiff before attending Eton College on a scholarship. He went on to graduate in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford, and holds an MBA from Stanford University.
Before becoming an MP, Narayan held a number of governmental and advisory roles, serving as a policy adviser to the UK government and as a technology adviser to the Labour Party. In July 2024, he was elected MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, becoming the first MP of ethnic minority background representing Wales. His background in technology and digital policy led to his appointment as the UK's first AI minister after a Cabinet reshuffle in July 2026, in which he was selected for the newly formed role.
The appointment gives the UK its first-ever dedicated AI minister and reflects a stronger government approach to artificial intelligence and modern technology. It also highlights growing diversity in British politics and shows people of Indian descent taking on prominent roles in global politics, as the UK looks to position itself as a global centre for AI innovation.