The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) is a non-governmental organisation founded by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

It is dedicated to the fields of governance and leadership. The Institute operates in approximately 40 countries worldwide and employs nearly a thousand individuals, focusing its efforts both within the UK and internationally.

Operational Model and Funding

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change functions as a key component within a broader network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public-private partnerships.

This network is an interface between powerful entities such as big corporations, finance institutions, and governments.

The Institute itself is a nexus that receives substantial funding from major foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and direct financial support from Microsoft.

Tony Blair holds a specific advisory role within this network, serving as a special advisor for global affairs for organisations such as the Anti-Defamation League (02_ARCHIVE/04 elite theory/ADL).

The Institute's funding and operational model can be described as a "triple shakedown". In this model, funds are channelled from intelligence services or corporate sources through large private foundations (e.g., Gates Foundation) due to their opaque balance sheets.

These funds then flow to prominent NGOs, such as TBI, which in turn develop policy proposals and "white papers" offering "off-the-shelf solutions" to governments. When these proposals are adopted as government policy, TBI and its associates frequently secure lucrative contracts as consultants or technical experts to oversee implementation, effectively directing government spending towards specific corporations (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, AstraZeneca).

This arrangement creates multiple revenue streams for those involved, with some funds potentially returning to the original corporate or state funders. This intricate financial flow, operating in broad daylight, highlights a perceived conflict of interest.

The Institute's staff comprises individuals with top-level elite backgrounds in areas such as security, cyber security, technology, government, and public health.

Key Policy Areas

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology: The Institute actively co-hosts events on global AI governance, notably in partnership with Microsoft at Chatham House, influencing discussions ahead of major international summits on AI. TBI views AI as a "revolutionary change" on par with the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, asserting that governments must consider it their central mission to comprehend, master, and harness this technology.TBI believes AI will fundamentally transform healthcare, education, crime fighting, and government operations, as well as the private sector. A core tenet of TBI's vision is that AI can lead to a state that is "significantly smaller but much more strategic," increasing government efficiency and reducing costs. However, critics argue this approach may lead to a greater centralisation of power, creating a more executive and absolute state. TBI also actively works with figures like Elon Musk and Marc Andreessen, whose visions for AI align with its own.
• Digital Identity (DIGITAL ID): A significant focus for TBI is the implementation of digital identity systems. Tony Blair has maintained an unwavering advocacy for digital ID since his initial attempts to introduce a national identity card in 2006. The Institute sees digital ID as a matter of modernity and efficiency, asserting that privacy concerns are mitigated by the fact that individuals routinely share personal data with private companies.TBI actively lobbies for digital ID, presenting it as a solution to control migration, improve public services, reduce fraud, and enhance tax collection, citing successful implementations in countries like Estonia, Singapore, and India.The proposed digital ID system, integrated with facial recognition technology, is intended to:
  • Spot suspects in real-time from live video feeds.
  • Track organised criminals at borders and in public spaces.
  • Aid in finding missing people.
  • Utilise live video from body cameras and CCTV to provide real-time advice to law enforcement officersfrom a central command centre. AI would further augment policing by identifying crime patterns, guiding patrols, and streamlining decision-making processes. Despite TBI's framing of digital ID as enhancing privacy through "robust safeguards and transparency," concerns persist regarding its potential for increased surveillance and totalitarian control.

Global Governance and Development: TBI frames its international work as "philanthropic partnership," engaging in initiatives such as "Agenda 2063" and promoting a "green revolution" in Africa. The Institute maintains extensive relationships with various African governments, advising them on development and public services.This advisory role often involves directing foreign aid budgets towards specific investments in digital infrastructure, public healthcare, security, and sustainable development, frequently linking these projects to major corporate providers. TBI actively seeks to establish a global presence, working across numerous countries and influencing policy through its widespread network.

Strategic Influence and Guiding Principles

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change serves as a significant force in shaping political discourse and policy. Its conferences and events are viewed as pivotal moments for asserting its influence, with one event described as a "coming out party" for TBI and a formal endorsement for Labour leader Keir Starmer, signalling a "passing of the torch".

These events bring together influential figures from business, major corporations, and both government and political parties, underscoring TBI's role within the "public-private" sphere.

The Institute's strategic core principles:

• Modernity and Progress: TBI advocates for rapid embrace of technological advancement, dismissing resistance as an outdated approach to politics.
• Efficiency and Optimisation: A central tenet is the belief that technological solutions can make government and public services faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
• Strategic Partnership: TBI champions close collaboration between the state and the private sector, asserting that large-scale reforms and investments (e.g., in clean energy) cannot be achieved through state funding alone.
• Mission-Driven Government: The Institute promotes a model of government with clear, long-term strategic goals, moving beyond short-term political cycles.

As the figure head, Tony Blair's delivers the Institute's messaging on the world stage in his rhetorical style:

• Emphasis on Conviction and Righteousness: 
• Disarming Opponents: anticipating objections and expressing sympathy with opposing viewpoints before steering the conversation towards a "sensible Centrist position".
• Plain Language and Accessibility: TBI's communication style is designed to be clear and relatable to ordinary people, avoiding academic or overly formal language, and making the establishment seem less "stuffy".
• Focus on Inevitability: Blair often frames his proposed changes as unavoidable and necessary, thereby encouraging acceptance.

The Institute's work aligns with a broader Managerialism vision of a "permanent managerial ruling class" that ensures continuity in key projects, irrespective of shifts in elected government.

This approach aims to circumvent traditional democratic processes by involving experts, industry leaders, and both major political parties in policy formation, often to the exclusion of public input.