British Prime Minister says AI has the potential to “change the lives of working people”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil a 50-point plan to make the UK a “world leader” in artificial intelligence (AI) and deliver a “decade of national regeneration”.
The AI Opportunity Action Plan, to be outlined in Mr Starmer’s speech on Monday, will create a dedicated AI growth zone to “accelerate growth” and “raise living standards”, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Prime Minister’s Office said. announced. said in a joint statement on Sunday.
The first growth zone will be established in Culham, Oxfordshire, and will speed up planning approval for data centers and improve access to the energy grid, the statement said.
The blueprint adopts all 50 recommendations made by venture capitalist Matt Clifford in a report commissioned by the Labor government last year, including a 20x increase in state-owned AI computing capacity and a It also proposes the establishment of a data library. and a specialized AI Energy Council.
“Artificial intelligence will bring about incredible changes to our country. It has the potential to transform the lives of working people, from helping teachers personalize lessons to helping small businesses manage their records and speeding up planning applications.” Mr Starmer said.
“But the AI industry needs an ally in government that will stand by and take advantage of opportunities. And in a world of cutthroat competition, we cannot stand idly by.”
Mr Starmer’s announcement comes as the Labor government is hemorrhaging support after just six months in office amid a weak economic climate.
The UK economy recorded 0% growth in the third quarter of 2024, raising fears the country could slip into a second recession within a year.
Starmer’s government said AI could boost the economy by £47 billion ($57 million) annually over 10 years, based on an International Monetary Fund analysis that found AI technology could boost productivity by up to 1.5 percentage points a year. It is estimated that this could bring significant benefits. .
According to the 2023 Global AI Vitality Ranking compiled by Stanford University, the UK ranks third in the world in terms of AI capabilities, after China and the US.
“Our plan will make the UK a world leader. It will give our industry the foundation it needs and accelerate our transformation plans,” Starmer said, adding that it will help improve living standards for households and improve hospital waiting lists. He mentioned the six milestones he has set for the government, including reducing the
“It means more jobs and investment in the UK, more money in people’s pockets and a transformed public service. That’s the change this government is trying to deliver.”
