Speaking at London Tech Week Today (Tuesday 13 June), will say that the UK has a
unique opportunity to lead the world in safe and responsible
technology.
The Labour leader will say that it could transform our lives,
raising productivity, aiding medical research, accelerating
climate science and delivering better public services, but it
will take ‘a government willing to partner with business for the
benefits of technology to be felt by all and directed to the
public good.’
will say:
“Our country is facing a choice about who benefits from the huge
disruption that tech will bring. Will it be those who already
hold wealth and power, or will it be the starter firms trying to
break in and disrupt the industry, the patients trying to book at
appointment with their GP, the worker using technology to enhance
and improve their role.”
Starmer will point to the UK’s formidable science and research
base, world leading universities, strong reputation for
regulation and an ecosystem of organisations working on
governance of new technologies. The UK has strong AI companies
based in the UK, and thriving sectors like life sciences,
professional services, which can support and capitalise on new
technologies, but will say they risk being
underutilised. The lack of certainty from government, which
has no proper industrial strategy, is not only holding UK tech
businesses back but stifling economic growth at the worst
possible time.
He will set out that the UK is at an inflection point,
with AI accelerating rapidly:
“The question facing our country is who will
benefit from this disruption? Will it leave some behind, as
happened with de-industrialisation across vast swathes of our
country? Or can it help build a society where everyone is
included, and inequalities are narrowed not widened?”
Starmer will argue:
“This moment calls for Labour values, of working in partnership
with business, driving technology to the public good, and
ensuring people and places aren’t left behind. Labour would take
a whole economy approach, recognising that tech is not just a
sector, but every job and every business must become digital if
we are to address the UK’s productivity problem. Diffusing the
latest technology across our economy and public services will be
as important as supporting the latest unicorns.”
Drawing on Labour’s five missions, Starmer will say
harnessing technology will be central to delivering Labour’s
ambitions in government:
“I will harness technology as the great accelerator of our five
missions for Government. Working in partnership with business to
face the future and deliver growth, prosperity and opportunity
across the UK.
“We will form a new agenda on digital skills, through our ‘growth
and skills’ levy to ensure people are equipped for the jobs
of the future. Labour’s industrial strategy, combined with good
regulation, will secure and create good jobs, and responsible and
ethical development of new technology.”
Addressing the Prime Minister’s intentions when it comes
to AI, Starmer will tell London Tech Week:
“I do say to him, it’s all very well having these ambitions, but
if they’re not matched with actions at home, we won’t have
credibility on the world stage.”
Starmer will point to the government’s AI White Paper, which is
already out of date after only two months and the need for
government to actively partner with business to deliver for
public good, setting the guardrails for people to have
confidence their data is being used responsibly, that their
children are safe online, and that everyone can access and afford
technology to benefit from the digital world.
Ends
Notes:
-
will be at London Tech Week
in conversation with Francine Lacqua, at 09:30 on Tuesday
13 June.
