Prime Minister says UK will be 'AI superpower' with plans to transform public services

Sir Keir Starmer has announced ambitions for the UK to become an AI "superpower" as part of a strategy to drive economic growth.

Acknowledging potential initial challenges, the Prime Minister remained optimistic that the adoption of AI would overhaul public services and revitalise the British economy. The government has committed to implementing all 50 recommendations from tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford, who was tasked by Science Secretary Peter Kyle in July to pinpoint AI opportunities.

Key proposals include increasing AI use within the public sector to reduce administrative burdens and establish AI "growth zones" across the nation to expedite data centre planning and enhance energy grid access. During a speech in east London on Monday, Sir Keir emphasised the widespread impact of AI, saying: "AI isn’t something locked away behind the walls of blue chip companies; it’s a force for change that will transform the lives of working people for the better."

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He also highlighted the technology's potential to personalise education, saying: "So if you’re sitting around the kitchen table tonight worrying about the opportunities at your children’s school, AI can help teachers plan a lesson tailored to your children’s specific needs. If you’re worried about waiting times – aren’t we all? AI can save hundreds of thousands of hours lost to missed appointments, because it can identify those on the list most likely not to turn up and help get them the support that they need, maybe change for a more convenient appointment.

"It can spot potholes quicker, speed up planning applications, reduce job centre form-filling, help with the fight against tax avoidance and almost halve the time that social workers spend on paperwork."

He continued: "Yes, there will be teething problems. Of course there will. But we can’t lose sight of the vast potential here."

The Government has described the action plan as a significant shift from the previous administration's approach, which they argue was overly focused on limiting potential dangers of AI rather than harnessing its power. On Monday, Sir Keir reassured the public, stating: "Be in absolutely no doubt we will make sure that this technology is safe" but added that "when it comes to regulation, we will be pro-growth and pro-innovation".

The previous government had pledged to support an exascale supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh, but these plans were abandoned shortly after Labour came to power, with the Government claiming the Tories had failed to allocate any funding to the project. In a pivot by the new administration, private sector partnerships are now on the agenda for financing the creation of a supercomputer. Alongside this, plans have been set to establish a national data repository containing public sector information that will assist in training AI models.

This anticipated compilation is likely to incorporate NHS data with safeguards like anonymisation, a detail that may provoke backlash from privacy advocates. Addressing potential concerns about the forthcoming data library's usage, Sir Keir stated during a post-speech Q&A with journalists: "It is important that we keep control of that data, I completely accept that challenge, and we will do so."

He went on to add: "But I don’t think that we should have a defensive stance here that will inhibit the sort of breakthroughs that we need.".

Under the upcoming scheme, an AI Energy Council led by Mr Kyle and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will be established to delve into the energy demands and challenges posed by AI for utility firms. Coinciding with Monday’s announcement, it was disclosed that tech enterprises have pledged a staggering £14 billion towards AI infrastructure in the UK, a move expected to generate 13,250 jobs.

This injection of capital includes Vantage Data Centres' massive £12 billion outlay, who are currently erecting one of the largest data centres in Europe, located in Wales. Furthermore, Nscale has committed 2.5 billion dollars (£2 billion) towards the sector, encompassing an agreement to construct the most extensive UK sovereign data centre in Loughton, Essex, by 2026.

In stark contrast to the notion of AI leading to mass job losses, Sir Keir on Monday sounded a note of optimism. He asserted that AI would "AI isn’t something locked away behind the walls of blue chip companies; it’s a force for change that will transform the lives of working people for the better."

Shadow science secretary Alan Mak criticised Labour's approach, stating: "Labour’s plan will not support the UK to become a tech and science superpower. They’re delivering analogue government in a digital age."

Mak went on to accuse Labour of cutting necessary funds for technological advancement: "Shaping a successful AI future requires investment, but in the six months leading up to this plan, Labour cut £1.3 billion in funding for Britain’s first next-generation supercomputer and AI research whilst imposing a national insurance jobs tax that will cost business in the digital sector £1.66 billion."