PeopleofSuperintelligence

Public voice

Michelle Donelan

Michelle Donelan is a former MP for Chippenham who served as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology from February 2023 to July 2024. She announced £100 million in initial funding for a Foundation Model Taskforce in April 2023, and in November 2023 she opened the first global summit on frontier AI safety at Bletchley Park. In April 2024 she signed a memorandum with US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo to develop advanced AI model testing. Her work outside politics includes marketing for Marie Claire and WWE. She is an adviser to MAKERS, having taken up the role in September 2025.

Timeline

  1. 1984

    Marketing at Marie Claire and WWE

    She is born in 1984, and outside politics she works in marketing for Marie Claire and WWE.

  2. 2015–2024

    MP for Chippenham

    From 2015 she sits as MP for Chippenham, and she leaves Parliament after the 2024 election.

  3. July 2022

    Briefly Education Secretary

    In July 2022 she resigns as Education Secretary after less than 36 hours in the post.

  4. February 2023–July 2024

    Science, innovation and technology secretary

    Her post as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology starts in February 2023 and ends in July 2024.

  5. April 2023

    Funding a Foundation Model Taskforce

    In April 2023 she and the Prime Minister announce £100 million in initial funding for a Foundation Model Taskforce.

  6. November 2023

    Opening the AI Safety Summit

    In November 2023 she opens the first global summit on frontier AI safety at Bletchley Park.

  7. April 2024

    A UK-US AI safety partnership

    In April 2024 she signs a memorandum with US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo to develop advanced AI model testing.

  8. Since 2025

    An adviser role at MAKERS

    An adviser role with MAKERS begins in September 2025.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Michelle Donelan yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Michelle Donelan - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Why exactly is Michelle Donelan in charge of UK tech strategy? | IT Pro itpro.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. The Rt Hon Michelle Donelan - GOV.UK gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Initial £100 million for expert taskforce to help UK build and adopt next generation of safe AI - GOV.UK gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Secretary of State Michelle Donelan opens the AI Safety Summit - GOV.UK gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. AI Safety Summit 2023 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  7. US and UK announce formal partnership on artificial intelligence safety | Technology | The Guardian theguardian.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  8. Donelan, Michelle - Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology - ACOBA Advice - GOV.UK gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  9. Advice Letter: Michelle Donelan, Advisor, MAKERS - GOV.UK gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.