{
  "id": 9127029,
  "title": "UK not ‘on the slide’, Burnham to tell UN as he gears up for first meeting with Trump – UK politics live",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/uk-not-on-the-slide-burnham-to-tell-un-as-he-gears-up-for-first",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-22T10:20:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/sep/22/andy-burnham-donald-trump-un-general-assembly-uk-politics-latest-news"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Andy Burnham, the UK's Minister for AI, is set to make a significant appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The minister, who is also traveling with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, will be addressing the international community on the critical issue of artificial intelligence (AI). In a video recorded on the plane, Burnham emphasized that AI has now become a top priority on the global agenda. According to sources close to Downing Street, the minister's speech to the UN will focus on AI as one of the primary themes of his visit.\n\nThe minister's visit to New York comes at a crucial time, as world leaders gather to tackle major global challenges. These include the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, security concerns in the Middle East, and the pressing need to harness AI technology for the betterment of society. Downing Street has stated that the prime minister's meetings in New York over the next 24 hours will focus on driving forward global efforts related to AI. The primary objectives will be to ensure that AI is used responsibly and to maximize its potential in enhancing safety and security for people both domestically and internationally.\n\nIn a bid to lead the way in international AI governance, Burnham is advocating for a more proactive approach. He argues that Britain is uniquely positioned to take on this role, mediate between the United States and China, and make AI a central focus of the UK's 2027 G20 presidency. Burnham is proud to be part of a growing coalition of countries that have signed the 'Call for Control of Frontier AI Models' initiative. This initiative, spearheaded by Finland, calls for compulsory testing of frontier AI models before their release. The signatories to this initiative include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, the European Union, Bahrain, and Singapore, all of whom are natural allies of the UK in this endeavor.\n\nAs the UK gears up for its first meeting with US President Donald Trump, Burnham's presence at the UN General Assembly is seen as a significant move to showcase Britain's leadership in AI governance. By focusing on the potential benefits of AI while addressing its risks, Burnham hopes to shape the global narrative around this transformative technology and position the UK as a trusted partner in its development and implementation.",
  "summary": "Burnham is heading to New York for the United Nations general assembly Kanishka Narayan , the minister for AI, is on the trip to New York with the PM. In a video that he recorded on the plane, he says the fact that he is going shows that AI is now “top of the international agenda”. He says his message to the industry has been “take risks seriously”. According to the overnight briefing from No 10…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}