AI minister warns tech tycoons against unchecked AI as budget plans for new biosecurity lab

Kanishka Narayan said the UK must curb AI power‑players as the chancellor prepares a budget package that includes a £200 million AI‑backed biosecurity lab.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 24 Oct 2026 10:52:25 GMT

UK AI minister Kanishka Narayan warned that tech barons must not be allowed to "let rip" with artificial intelligence, as Finance Minister John Healey readies a budget package that will fund a new AI‑driven biosecurity laboratory.

What happened

During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Narayan said the government intends to develop AI responsibly while preventing “all‑powerful industry tycoons” from acting without oversight. The upcoming budget, to be delivered by Healey next week, will include a "world‑first" biosecurity lab that aims to use AI to develop medical countermeasures against future pandemics.

What the reports add

The lab will be backed by up to £200 million from US AI firms OpenAI and Anthropic, together with £100 million of government funding.
An additional £120 million will be invested in Britain’s AI Security Institute to develop standards guarding against AI risks.
£70 million will fund a new National Exposure and Real‑Time Vulnerability (NERV) centre to use AI tools to detect cyber threats across critical infrastructure.
£60 million will go into a sovereign AI fund to support promising British AI firms, with another £60 million for contracts using AI in areas such as the NHS.

What was said

“To me, I think the central political fault line is not whether you’re pro‑AI or anti‑AI. The central political fault line is: are you passive in the face of AI, or are you actively shaping it in the interest of your public and your country?”

Narayan told BBC Radio 4’s Today, emphasizing the need for a distinctly British approach that addresses the concerns of working people. The chancellor, speaking at a pre‑budget event, said the investment will protect Britain’s interests and bolster domestic AI capability.

How it came about

Earlier this month Felo News reported on emerging AI‑related technologies, such as the Scentronic remote‑smell system (scentronic-remote-smell-technology), illustrating the rapid diversification of AI applications. The current budget move follows growing warnings about unchecked AI development and reflects the government’s strategy to combine private sector expertise with public funding.

Key facts

AI minister Kanishka Narayan warned against unchecked AI by tech tycoons (standard.co.uk)
The upcoming budget will fund a biosecurity lab backed by up to £200 million from OpenAI and Anthropic and £100 million from the UK government (independent.co.uk)
John Healey will present the budget package next week (standard.co.uk)