UK AI Minister: Artificial Intelligence Will Remain a Priority Under Andy Burnham

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LONDON — AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said AI and technology will continue to be a priority for the U.K. government under its likely next prime minister, Andy Burnham.

Speaking at POLITICO’s Playbook Live event on Tuesday, Narayan said he and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall have both met with Burnham “to talk about the centrality” of AI for the U.K.

“Of course in the transition, Andy, I’m sure, will bring particular flavor to how he wants to think about technology and AI,” Narayan said — but the importance of AI to the U.K.’s economy, national security and geopolitical power were now “enduring facts.”

“Those enduring facts are the key drivers of where the Labor Party is going, and where both the British public and enduring Labour values of making sure that we’re supporting prosperity and dignity for people in this country will take us,” Narayan said.

Narayan also acknowledged public concern about AI, particularly the “central crisis” of potential job losses.

“The transition has to be a fair transition, has to be a transition that’s fulfilling, and has to be a transition that works for us as a country altogether,” Narayan said.

He said there was a “clear-cut argument” for the government to take an active role and “clinch this moment for a fundamental institutional redesign of how workers are supported.”

But Narayan also said the public recognize the potential for AI to improve their lives and boost the U.K.’s security, sovereignty and economy, while arguing that investment in AI infrastructure offered “a remarkable opportunity” for reindustrialization across the country.

“The British public … wants the jam of economic progress and jobs not tomorrow, but today, and not elsewhere, but in their particular place,” he said.