It is significant that this week Andy Burnham used his first major international speech at the United Nations to warn of the dangers of AI. He warned that hostile states are using bots and fake websites to spread lies and disinformation and announced a new centre to combat the threat as well as offering UK as to lead efforts to establish global safety standards for AI.
This marks a shift in the UK’s approach to AI. New technology eventually requires a more proactive approach to managing benefits and risks whether it be railways or telecommunications. States cannot afford to lie back and simply hope for the best. Make no mistake, AI brings considerable potential to do good. Advanced economies need to adopt new technologies if they are to survive and grow. I recently saw the huge advantages of new technology at Northumbria Healthcare Trust where frontline staff are using new technology to access data and save on form filling allowing more time for nursing and patient contact.
Beyond that AI is bringing huge opportunity in fighting disease, coming up with new treatments and cures allowing our country to remain world leaders in healthcare. But of course AI also brings risks. Some graduate jobs for example in law are under real challenge. Advanced manufacturing may be boosted but some of the older jobs may go. The rush to invest in AI risks unbalancing global finance. By changing their approach, the machinery of government and highlighting the need for scrutiny this government is awake to the challenges as well as the opportunities AI brings.