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Artificial intelligence is seen as a “significant opportunity” to rejuvenate public services in the UK, according to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
During a speech unveiling the government’s strategy for deploying AI in the UK to stimulate growth and enhance service delivery, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of making AI beneficial for the working population.
The AI Opportunities Action Plan is supported by prominent technology firms, which have pledged £14 billion towards various initiatives, expected to generate 13,250 new jobs, the government reported.
However, questions have arisen regarding the requisite time and funding to realize this vision, amid worries about borrowing costs and a declining pound value.
The action plan includes proposals for designated growth zones where development efforts will be concentrated, and suggests leveraging AI to address challenges such as potholes.
While the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that AI could bolster productivity, it also indicates that improvements may occur gradually.
The government has enlisted AI advisor Matt Clifford to formulate a UK action plan aimed at nurturing AI development and its integration into public services.
Clifford has submitted 50 recommendations that are currently being put into practice.
Notably, the plan advocates for the UK to invest in a new supercomputer to enhance computing capabilities – a shift in strategy following the Labour government’s abandonment of a predecessor’s proposal for a supercomputer at Edinburgh University.
Sir Keir remarked that AI “will drive remarkable transformations” in the nation, with “the potential to change the lives of working individuals.”
He asserted, “We are committed to ensuring AI benefits everyone in our nation,” highlighting that “the competition for future jobs is unfolding now.”
Sir Keir envisions the UK becoming one of the leading AI “superpowers,” echoing former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s aspirations to position the UK sector on par with the US and China.
Sunak’s earlier initiatives primarily addressed mitigating the impending dangers associated with powerful AI systems.
In October 2023, he cautioned that AI could facilitate quicker and simpler production of chemical and biological weapons or be exploited by terrorist organizations for disinformation purposes.
He warned that society could lose control over AI in extreme scenarios.
The government’s current focus on “opportunity” seems to diverge from the previous strategy of “safety” – prioritizing growth and innovation instead.
This shift away from caution signals the government’s intention for the UK to engage in the global AI competition, led by major players like the US and China.
However, establishing data centers and enhancing computing resources will require time.
Consequently, the government may not witness the benefits of this substantial initiative before the next general election – a period in which Labour must persuade the electorate that their decisions were justified, especially in these financially strained times.
Professor Dame Wendy Hall characterized the proposals as “ambitious,” yet essential for the UK’s progression in keeping up with technological advancements.
She expressed to BBC Radio Four’s Today program, “This is certainly a bold plan, but necessitates considerable upfront investment.”
“Observing returns from this investment will take time; hence, a long-term commitment is crucial.”
Potential Impacts of the AI Plan on You
Key proposals from the government include:
- AI technology will assist public sector workers in reducing administrative tasks, allowing more focus on service delivery.
- Establishment of several “AI Growth Zones” across the UK, featuring major construction projects and job creation.
- Utilization of AI through national cameras to monitor road conditions and identify potholes needing repair.
- Teachers and small business owners will have the opportunity to adopt AI for enhanced efficiency in planning and record-keeping.
- AI is already in use within UK hospitals for critical tasks, like expediting cancer diagnoses, and will continue its role in supporting the NHS.
The government also plans to enhance UK infrastructure, with tech companies pledging £14 billion towards large data centers or technology hubs.
Nevertheless, shadow science secretary Alan Mak criticized Labour for offering a “traditional government approach in a digital age.”
While the AI initiative is perceived as a method to cut public expenditure, Mak contends that Labour’s economic strategies undermine this objective.
“Labour’s poor economic management and lackluster strategy will result in Britain falling behind,” he remarked.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated in an interview that there’s no reason the UK cannot develop tech firms comparable to Google, Amazon, and Apple.
“Currently, we lack British-owned companies at the forefront of cutting-edge technology,” he stated.
He cited DeepMind, a company known for developing technology facilitating complex games, as a notable British entity that has become US-owned since its inception by three students from University College London before its acquisition by Google.
Tim Flagg, chief operating officer of UKAI – representing British AI enterprises – criticized the proposals for taking a “limited perspective” regarding the sector’s contributors, focusing too heavily on major tech companies.
“AI innovation crosses various industries, from small businesses to non-tech sectors, all pivotal in driving this new industrial revolution,” he asserted.
“It’s time the government acknowledged this broader definition and harnessed the full potential of AI throughout the UK.”
AI’s Imperfections
Concerns persist regarding the risks associated with AI systems capable of “hallucinating” or fabricating information, as well as those that may show bias against certain groups.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden mentioned that “we are merely scratching the surface” and acknowledged AI as an evolving technology.
He noted that a government-developed AI teaching assistant has thus far been adopted by approximately 30,000 educators in England.
“This technology saves educators around three and a half hours each week, essentially giving them their Sunday evenings back for lesson and classroom planning,” he explained during a segment on BBC Breakfast.
McFadden pointed out that AI applications utilized by the health service can identify certain cancers at earlier stages than the human eye can detect.
However, he recognized that AI is “not flawless,” following incidents where Apple faced backlash over an inaccurate news alert feature on its latest iPhones.
“We must maintain vigilance on both safety and opportunity,” McFadden stressed.
“The reality is, we cannot simply withdraw from this; opting out will lead to development occurring elsewhere.”
