Close Menu
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    • Home
    • Leadership Alliance
    • Exclusives
    • Internet Governance
      • Regulation
      • Governance Bodies
      • Emerging Tech
    • IT Infrastructure
      • Networking
      • Cloud
      • Data Centres
    • Company Stories
      • Profiles
      • Startups
      • Tech Titans
      • Partner Content
    • Others
      • Fintech
        • Blockchain
        • Payments
        • Regulation
      • Tech Trends
        • AI
        • AR/VR
        • IoT
      • Video / Podcast
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Home » Keir Starmer’s AI tsar to step down after 6 months
    keir-starmer-ai
    keir-starmer-ai
    IT Infrastructure

    Keir Starmer’s AI tsar to step down after 6 months

    By Jocelyn FangJune 24, 2025No Comments2 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    • • Clifford spearheaded the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and helped to establish the AI Security Institute.
    • • Critics warn of continued friction between AI ambitions and creative industry protections.

    What happened: Keir Starmer’s AI tsar bows out early

    Matt Clifford, a prominent tech investor and head of Entrepreneurs First, announced he will step down as Keir Starmer’s AI adviser at the end of July, after only six months in post. He cited “personal and family reasons”, describing it as a “privilege” to author the government’s 50-point AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was adopted in full. The plan includes transformative ambitions: the creation of AI growth zones, embedding AI within the public sector, nurturing “national champion” AI firms, and reforming copyright laws to support AI training.

    Clifford played a key role in founding the AI Security Institute—formerly the AI Safety Institute—and organising the 2023 Global AI Safety Summit. During his tenure, he also agreed to abstain from trading or investment decisions at Entrepreneurs First to avoid conflicts of interest. A government spokesperson confirmed his departure would not derail the agenda, stating ministers remain committed to building on his blueprint.

    Also Read: UK eases AI research rules to drive innovation
    Also Read: SoftBank acquires Graphcore, boosting UK AI chipmaker’s future

    Why it’s important

    Clifford’s departure comes at a pivotal moment. The government has committed to “mainlining” AI across society—boosting public computing power, unlocking NHS and cultural datasets, and rolling out AI in sectors from teaching to highways. Peter Kyle, Shadow Secretary for Science and Innovation, recently announced industry-led training for 7.5 million UK workers by 2030 to close the “generational” skills gap. Without strong political leadership, however, implementation risks faltering.

    Moreover, Clifford’s stance on copyright reform—allowing AI firms to use protected material unless creators optout—has inflamed tensions with the creative sector. Campaigners such as Baroness Beeban Kidron argue this threatens authors’ livelihoods, and the Lords recently triggered delays in the Data Bill to push back. With Clifford gone, the government must redouble efforts to reconcile innovation with protections for creative professionals.

    Still, Clifford’s departure could open space for fresh leadership. A successor might recalibrate the balance—steering the agenda with greater finesse on regulation, ethics and public engagement, rather than mere technological progress.

    AI policy AI Tsar Keir Starmer Matt Clifford UK
    Jocelyn Fang

    Jocelyn is a community engagement specialist at BTW Media, having studied investment Management at Bayes business school . Contact her at j.fang@btw.media.

    Related Posts

    Telcoptics Solutions Ltd: Transforming fibre infrastructure in Kenya

    July 10, 2025

    Certified Technology Services Ltd: Boosting ICT services in Ghana

    July 10, 2025

    Sky unveils 5Gbps full-fibre broadband with Wi-Fi 7 hub

    July 10, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    CATEGORIES
    Archives
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023

    Blue Tech Wave (BTW.Media) is a future-facing tech media brand delivering sharp insights, trendspotting, and bold storytelling across digital, social, and video. We translate complexity into clarity—so you’re always ahead of the curve.

    BTW
    • About BTW
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Team
    TERMS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.