Kanishka Narayan Joins Cabinet as AI Minister, Technology Department Abolished

Prime Minister Burnham has appointed Kanishka Narayan as AI Minister, granting him attendance at cabinet. This development coincides with the dissolution of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), a department established just two years prior.

The responsibilities previously held by DSIT, including digital and technology policy, are now to be absorbed by the Department for Business and Trade. This marks a significant reorganisation of governmental oversight for the technology sector, with Narayan now operating under the Business Secretary.

Sources within Whitehall indicate that the restructuring aims to streamline policy implementation and enhance coherence across economic portfolios. However, the decision to dismantle a dedicated technology department so soon after its creation has prompted comment regarding the government's long-term strategy for digital innovation and its integration into wider industrial policy. Critics suggest this move could dilute focus on critical areas, while proponents argue it fosters greater departmental synergy.