london: Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday laid out his plans to unleash the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the help of billions of pounds of investment and dedicated AI Growth Zones to speed up infrastructure to make the UK a “world leader” in the sector.
Unveiling details of the Labour government’s ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’, Starmer said he believes AI can transform the lives of working people and has the potential to speed up planning consultations to get Britain building, help drive down admin for teachers and even help improve roads through cameras to spot potholes.
It comes as three major tech companies - Vantage Data Centres, N Scale and Kyndryl - have committed to GBP 14 billion investment to build the AI infrastructure the UK needs to harness the potential of this technology and deliver 13,250 jobs across the UK.
“Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people,” said Starmer.
“But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers; and in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race,” he said.
“Our plan will make Britain the world leader. It will give the industry the foundation it needs and will turbocharge the Plan for Change. That means more jobs and investment in the UK, more money in people’s pockets, and transformed public services,” he added.
Downing Street pointed out that AI is already being used in hospitals up and down the UK to deliver “better, faster, and smarter” care - spotting pain levels for people who can’t speak, diagnosing breast cancer quicker, and getting people discharged quicker.