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Nearly a year after leaving 10 Downing Street, Rishi Sunak has embarked on a new career path mirroring that of other British politicians: a pivot to Silicon Valley. The former Prime Minister has accepted senior advisory positions at both Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic, drawing immediate comparisons to Microsoft's infamous Office Assistant, Clippy, for his tendency to offer unsolicited advice at awkward moments.

From Downing Street to Datacenters

Sunak announced the dual roles via Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, stating: "Microsoft has driven productivity improvements for decades and Anthropic is one of the most exciting AI frontier labs. I have long believed that technology will transform our world... I am excited to help these two companies, as they address the big strategic questions about how to make tech work for our economies, our security and our society."

His belief in technology's transformative power, however, faces scrutiny against his political record. As Chancellor during the pandemic, Sunak launched the "Help to Grow: Digital" scheme, allocating £295 million to help small businesses adopt software. By 2024, only 7% (£31.4 million) had been spent, according to investigations by The Register.

Strings Attached: The Ethics Constraints

The UK's Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) swiftly imposed strict conditions. Sunak is barred from lobbying the UK government on behalf of either company. The committee noted Microsoft's significant UK investments, including a £2.5 billion AI infrastructure pledge announced during Sunak's premiership. His role at Microsoft will involve providing "high-level strategic perspectives on macro-economic and geopolitical trends," while Anthropic seeks his guidance on AI policy – ironic given his government's much-criticized £10 million "Unicorn Kingdom" AI startup fund, a drop in the ocean compared to the estimated $500 billion annual global investment needed for AI datacenter infrastructure.

Microsoft's Deepening UK Ties

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Sunak's appointment coincides with Microsoft's expanding UK footprint. A Memorandum of Understanding signed months after he left office projects £9 billion in UK government spending with Microsoft over five years via the Crown Commercial Service. This existing relationship amplifies ethical questions about the revolving door between high office and tech giants.

The Clippy Comparison

Tech observers noted the uncomfortable parallel between Sunak's political persona – often perceived as awkward and out-of-touch – and Microsoft's ill-fated virtual assistant. The Register quipped: "The Register is comforted knowing Sunak... has found a place where he will at last fit in." While Sunak pledges to donate his advisory salaries to charity (the Akshata Murty-backed philanthropic fund), the move underscores how former leaders increasingly seek influence – and soft landings – in an industry shaping the very policies they once governed. His effectiveness in navigating the complex ethical and strategic challenges at Microsoft and Anthropic, particularly with his constrained mandate, remains the critical unanswered question.