Following a landslide victory in yesterday’s General Election, Labour’s AI strategy is set to become a crucial aspect of the new government.
The party has been vocal about AI during its time in opposition, so Labour’s AI strategy is expected to be a core part of new legislation.
Businesses and industries will now look to the new government for direction, as its huge majority in Parliament puts it in a powerful position to influence the UK’s technological future.
The importance of a national AI strategy
AI is a transformational technology that will have a profound impact on the way businesses operate and turbocharge the UK economy.
The UK is a global superpower in AI and is well-placed to lead the world over the next decade as a genuine research and innovation powerhouse, a hive of global talent and a progressive regulatory and business environment.
However, it is crucial to have a responsible AI strategy in place to ensure it remains this way.
A national strategy can contribute to the industry’s success and recognise the power of AI to increase resilience, productivity, growth, and innovation across the private and public sectors.
Turning the spotlight on technology and AI in the workplace, Labour’s 24 May 2024 document, ‘Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay’, pledges to promote safeguards against the invasion of privacy through surveillance technology and discriminatory algorithmic decision-making.
UK needs strategic AI investments
James Hall, VP & Country Manager, UK&I at Snowflake, called for Labour’s AI strategy to focus on investment in enhancing public services and improving citizens’ lives.
He said: “Now we know the Labour party has won the election with a substantial majority, it is crucial the new government places an emphasis on tech investment, particularly around AI.
“This will be paramount to streamlining services and enhancing citizens’ lives.”
Hall also calls on the new government to create an AI fund to foster public-private innovation and the commercialisation of data through synthetic data, which mimics real-world information while protecting privacy.
This approach offers a dual benefit of unlocking data value and maintaining robust privacy protections.
The future of Labour’s impact on AI
Labour’s victory presents a unique opportunity to shape the UK’s future through strategic investments in AI and robust regulatory frameworks.
The new government can drive economic growth and enhance public services by addressing business inefficiencies and prioritising tech investments.
In terms of regulation, Hall recommends Labour’s AI strategy address industry-specific rules, especially in critical sectors like healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
He explained: “For the pharmaceutical industry, in particular, there needs to be more robust agreements established on the use of medical data, with internal investment to manage and protect this data.”
Hall also calls for a dedicated office to oversee AI initiatives and ensure diverse stakeholder engagement in shaping AI and data policies.
“These steps will be crucial for the new government to support data-driven industries and ensure they can capitalise on AI, thus positioning the UK as a global innovation powerhouse whilst ensuring sustainable growth and protecting national interests.”
As the UK sees a new government take shape over the coming days, the focus on AI will be pivotal in positioning the UK as a leader in the global digital economy.
