A major investigation reveals a significant overlap between government officials and the AI industry as the UK pushed forward with plans for datacentre expansion, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest. The nonprofit Spotlight on Corruption highlights a "revolving door" phenomenon, with dozens of ministers, senior civil servants, and advisers transitioning into AI companies during a key period of policy development. Environmental groups were reportedly excluded from discussions on datacentres and AI, leaving their input absent from a major component of the government’s economic strategy. Critics question whether industry ties influenced the shaping of AI-focused growth zones under the former prime minister’s leadership.
Investigation finds dozens of ministers and civil servants moved into AI roles as government developed datacentre expansion plansThe UK’s policy on datacentres and AI was developed without any meetings with environmental groups, an investigation has found.The nonprofit organisation Spotlight on Corruption said a “considerable revolving door” shaped the government’s development of “AI growth zones”, a central plank of the former prime minister Keir Starmer’s AI and economic policy, with 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers hired to positions in AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026. Continue reading...
