Sir Keir Starmer says £14bn AI plan can “transform” lives of working people
The UK government believes artificial intelligence can “drive incredible change” across industries after announcing a new £14bn AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said AI will support job creation and reduce the burden on working people. Still, critics have warned that it remains a developing technology and needs perfecting to iron out biases and inconsistencies.
However, Starmer is ready to stake the UK’s future prospects on AI and machine learning after stating the new plan will create more than 13,000 jobs.
The Labour leader believes the investment will make the country an AI “superpower.”
Several leading tech firms have pledged significant investment in AI-driven projects to support the ambitious plans.
One of these will see AI used in cameras to spot issues with potholes on roads.
The prime minister says preventative action like this will free workers to concentrate on tasks that will increase growth and boost the economy.
Thirty thousand teachers are already using a new government-developed AI teaching assistant to streamline lesson planning.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said: “It saves teachers about three-and-half hours a week – gives them their Sunday evening back, if you like, in terms of lesson preparation and classroom preparation.”
Starmer has also created several “AI Growth Zones”—areas in the UK—that will see significant building projects and new jobs backed by AI.
He boldly added that AI will “work for everyone in our country”.
However, critics say there isn’t a clear roadmap for turning the plans into reality, and it will face ongoing questions about how much it will cost in the long term.