The former Secretary of Science has been granted permission to other former ministers and DSIT officials to participate in AI positions
Former conservative science and technology secretary Michel Donnellan is permitted to play a paid role in an artificial intelligence company that holds government contracts, including the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.
Donelan (pictured) is one of the former ministers and senior officials of DSIT, the government department responsible for overseeing AI regulations, and has played a role with AI companies in recent months.
The former MP, who served as science secretary from February 2023 to July 2024, approached the Advisory Committee on Business Appointment on becoming an advisor to a manufacturer, a company focused on AI and technology education and proficiency.
In a letter released on September 30, Acoba, who refused jobs where he had a former minister or government employee to avoid conflicts of interest, said, “We believe it is important that manufacturers have existing relationships with the government.” However, the committee added that under the government's business appointment rules “it does not consider the appointment to raise any particular validity concerns.”
Acoba said the manufacturer has an agreement with DSIT to provide apprentice programs for software developers and engineers. Although these are under the government's digital services, the committee stressed that when Donelan was Secretary of State, he was not involved in the appointment of these contracts as GDS was not part of the DSIT.
“Contact and Influence”
In her ministerial role, the committee said Donelan is “exposed to a wide range of information that could benefit AI technology companies, including manufacturers,” but DSIT said “is unable to access information that gives manufacturers an unfair advantage.”
Donelan was also cleared from Akova to join another AI company Elastik.
Acoba said: ” Given that manufacturers are providing education to the government on AI, including DSIT, there is a reasonable concern that companies can provide unfair access to government as a result of their privileged access to privileged and influence as Secretary of State for science, innovation and technology.”
However, the committee said the manufacturer confirmed that Donelan's role has been separated from government-related activities and that she will not contact the government.
Acoba said the risks associated with her tenure are mitigated by conditions that include not lobbying the government on behalf of the manufacturer, including not using the privileged information available to her as Minister.
Donelan was asked to comment.
other AI-related departure
Donelan is one of several ministers and science department officials who have recently sought advice from Acoba on playing a role in an AI company.
Jonathan Berry, former AI minister under the former government and current AI shadow minister, has taken the paid committee from the software company's conquering technology and is the non-executive director of the education technology company Lumi Network.
Meanwhile, Imran Faisal Shafi, former director of DSIT AI Opportunities and AI Policy, left the department in June and became Chief Strategy Officer or NSCALE, a company developing leading AI data centres in the UK. Daisy McGregor, former vice director of AI International Policy, also left the department in February to join the AI giant humanity.
