(Lab):...I
was delighted to read paragraph 236 in today’s Select Committee
report on Artificial Intelligence. The committee states:
“The UK must be ready for the disruption that AI will have on the
way in which we work. We support the Government’s interest in
developing adult retraining schemes, as we believe that AI will
disrupt a wide range of jobs over the coming decades, and both
blue- and white-collar jobs which exist today will be put at risk
… Industry should assist in the financing of the National
Retraining Scheme by matching Government funding. This
partnership would help improve the number of people who can
access the scheme and better identify the skills required. Such
an approach must reflect the lessons learned from the execution
of the Apprenticeship Levy”...
(Lab):...The second reason that I wanted to speak
is that the House of Lords Select Committee
on Artificial Intelligence published
its report today. I sat on that committee and what I heard, over
a great number of meetings taking evidence from experts, was
profoundly important. We are facing the fourth industrial
revolution, which is going to transform the way we live, work and
experience our lives personally. One of the important findings of
the report is that, as they grow up, young people should be
educated about algorithms and data mining. However, more
particularly, the existing population of older people now need to
be brought on board in terms of Artificial Intelligence and what it
means for our community. If we do not do this, we will be
seriously left behind in the world that is coming into
being...
(Lab):...However, in addition to that, much more
needs to be done to facilitate an “earning and learning”
framework, because the reality is that, for this and future
generations, lifelong and career learning will be an economic
necessity. As my noble friend Lord Knight said—and he is very
experienced in the future of work—the model of work has changed
and will continue to change. Increasing automation and the
development of Artificial Intelligence will
introduce many new skilled roles that will require some form of
formal higher qualification short of a full degree. For
individuals to thrive in this new jobs landscape, the focus must
be on continuous learning and development, including through the
MOOCs referred to by the noble Baroness, Lady Greenfield...
(Con):...Lifelong learning is becoming
increasingly important due to a number of trends and challenges
that are shaping the future of work in the UK. The noble Lord,
Lord Knight, eloquently highlighted a number of the major changes
in the economy, in our demographics and in society. First, as we
know, people are living longer and some are choosing to work
longer—the number of people aged 50 and over is expected to reach
30 million by 2035. Secondly, technological change is having an
effect on existing roles: for example, the opportunities and
challenges brought about by automation. I took note of the point
made by the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell,
about Artificial Intelligence—she is quite
right. By the way, I also wish her a very happy birthday.
Thirdly, there are skills shortages in particular sectors. For
example, nearly 40% of employers continue to report difficulties
in recruiting staff with relevant STEM skills...
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