AI Policy Influence: Blair Institute and Ellison Institute Staffing Government Roles

Concerns are rising over the influence of private sector organizations, particularly the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) and the Ellison Institute of Technology, on UK artificial intelligence (AI) policy. Recent revelations indicate that senior staff from both organizations have been seconded to key positions within the Department of Science, Information and Technology (DSIT), raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the capture of policymaking by Big Tech.

Secondments to DSIT: A Pattern of Influence

The TBI and the Ellison Institute, founded by US billionaire Larry Ellison, have placed personnel within DSIT, the government department responsible for AI regulation and implementation. Dr. Laura Gilbert, formerly the director of the UK government’s Incubator for Artificial Intelligence programme, exemplifies this trend. After leaving her civil service role in December 2024, she was quickly seconded back to DSIT by the TBI and Ellison Institute to “support the smooth transition of her dedicated and talented technical AI team,” according to openDemocracy.

This arrangement raises concerns about the business appointment rules, which aim to prevent former civil servants from lobbying their previous colleagues for two years. But, there is no prohibition on their employers seconding them back into government positions, allowing for direct influence over policy development.

Broader Industry Involvement

The TBI and Ellison Institute are not the only organizations utilizing secondments to gain access to DSIT. Arms firms Thales and Qinetiq, tech consultancy Capgemini and pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca have also sent staff members to work within the department. This broader pattern of industry involvement has prompted criticism from transparency advocates.

Kamila Kingstone, programme lead at Spotlight on Corruption, stated that embedding individuals with ties to commercial interests in policymaking creates “real risks of conflicts of interest,” enabling Big Tech to “capture and facilitate set the particularly rules that should regulate it,” as reported by openDemocracy.

Political Connections and Funding

The TBI’s influence extends beyond secondments. In 2023, the institute funded a trip for Labour’s shadow tech secretary, Peter Kyle, to Brussels to attend a science and tech policy program. The following year, Kyle visited the US on a trip funded by Lord Sainsbury and consulting firm Hakluyt & Company, where he met with tech giants including Oracle, owned by Larry Ellison. Faculty, a company with links to the TBI, also seconded a staff member to support Kyle’s work during the 2024 election campaign, valued at £36,000.

Faculty has secured significant government contracts since Labour took office, including a £6 million deal with the Department for Education and a £4.5 million deal with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Criticism and Calls for Transparency

Critics argue that the Labour government is overly accommodating to Big Tech, potentially at the expense of public interest. Jim Killock, executive director at Open Rights Group, accused Labour of “bringing predatory Big Tech into the UK economy on Big Tech’s terms,” and warned of a future of “permanent rent extraction” by tech companies, according to openDemocracy.

There are growing calls for greater transparency regarding secondments and potential conflicts of interest. Spotlight on Corruption advocates for the annual publication of a list of secondees, their conflicts of interest, and any mitigation measures in place.

Government Response

A government spokesperson defended the practice of bringing in expertise from academia and industry, stating that they “produce no apologies for bringing cutting-edge expertise from UK academia and industry into the heart of Government” and that secondment schemes are “a key part of this.” The TBI confirmed that Tom Westgarth’s secondment was publicly announced.