Feryal Clark MP has been given the role as under-secretary of state for AI and digital government.
Her appointment has become public on the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) website as it outlines the briefs of ministers in the new Government.
This follows the decision to shift the prime IT functions of central government – the Central Digital and Data Office, the Government Digital Service and the Incubator for AI – from the Cabinet Office to DSIT.
Clark’s new brief incorporates responsibility for digital public services, digital identity policy, cyber security, a review of large scale compute, and the opportunities, regulation and transparency and ethics around AI.
Organisations under her brief include the AI Safety Institute, Copyright Tribunal, Intellectual Property Office and a Digital Centre of Government, about which no further information has so far been provided.
She has a background in science, having studied biomedical science then taken a masters in bioinformatics.
Entering Parliament in 2019, she has previously held three shadow ministerial briefs, for health, primary care and patient safety, and crime reduction.
In a further appointment at DSIT, Chris Bryant MP has been named as minister for data protection – with oversight of the Information Commisioner’s Office – digital inclusion, digital infrastructure and telecoms and space sector growth, including the UK Space Agency. He will also have oversight of Building Digital UK.
He has previously held shadow ministerial roles for culture and Europe and Asia, and has been shadow and deputy leader of the House of Commons.
