Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled Appointment of Matt Clifford CBE as the AI Opportunities Adviser, published on 13 January 2025, whether the AI Opportunities Adviser is a (a) direct ministerial appointment and (b) unpaid special adviser; whether he has made a declaration of political activity; and what his financial interests are.

Matt Clifford CBE, a leading tech entrepreneur and Chair of ARIA, was directly appointed as the Prime Minister’s AI Opportunities Adviser. This is an unpaid role where Matt will report directly to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for DSIT. As the PM’s AI Opportunities Adviser, he will bring together a team across No10 and DSIT to seize AI opportunities and build the UK’s AI capabilities, delivering on the Plan for Change.

Matt Clifford has declared his outside interests and agreed a series of mitigations, with DSIT’s Permanent Secretary, to address any potential conflicts of interest. These are published on gov.uk