Keir Starmer has framed his address on the UK’s underperforming markets around the potential for AI growth.
AI shone in a positive light for boosting public service productivity, whilst safety aspects of AI were left out, affirming Starmer’s plans for the UK to strive to be an AI superpower on the globe stage and more AI businesses originating from the UK.
AI is a tech innovation that could serve every margin of society from education and the NHS to financial institutions. Whilst it is a long-term investment, Starmer’s short message to those in markets doubting Britain’s growth potential began with… “mark my words” – a promise that the UK will become the birthplace of scalable AI businesses.
The government accepted the Clifford review in full saying it “backs AI to the hilt” and will “mainline AI into the veins” of the entire nation.
To get there, computing infrastructure needs to be scaled up by 2030 to allow for promised data centres. As well as wanting to recruit foreign AI workers, the UK’s own workforce requires training and a younger generation to join it.
The BBC’s Technology Editor, Zoe Kleinman, made a valid point recalling former PM Rishi Sunak’s backlash for proposing that the age to stop studying maths should be raised to 18. This would be essential if Britain is going to train more engineers and AI experts.
The government has proposed creating several “AI growth zones” around the UK to encourage SME AI businesses, starting in Oxfordshire. Automation across public services will make services more “human”, speed up processes and reduce admin for teachers.
With previous governments also making promises around AI, Starmer will be the 5th prime minister to set his sights on becoming a global leader. Will it be too soon as the technology is still in its infancy?
Starmer has pledged making a difference to productivity across employment, education and healthcare in less than 5 to 10 years, therefore we can expect the government will make a huge investment in its AI interests.
The opening of 12,000 new data centres will create opportunity whilst changing the “nature of jobs” enabled by AI investments. These tech jobs which did not exist before will power the digital economy but not replace a valuable workforce.
The UK embodies the “values of democracy, open commerce and the rule of law” for AI tech companies to settle here.
