Sir Keir Starmer warns AI may ‘worsen inequality and depart some communities poorer’

Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer will warn that synthetic intelligence (AI) might worsen inequality and depart some communities poorer.

In a speech on the London Tech Week convention on Tuesday, Sir Keir will argue that whereas the UK has a chance to steer the world in new applied sciences, it would require partnerships with enterprise for the “public good”.

He is anticipated to query whether or not Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is doing sufficient to bolster the UK’s place as a world chief in AI.

The opposition chief can be anticipated to talk about the legacy of de-industrialisation in current many years and warn that the identical errors can’t be made once more as expertise advances.

Sir Keir will say in his speech that “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 an appointment with their GP, the worker using technology to enhance and improve their role.

“Can [AI] assist construct a society the place everyone seems to be included, and inequalities are narrowed not widened?

“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.”

Mr Sunak made a speech on the convention on Monday, warning measures are required to guard in opposition to the “extreme risks” AI may pose.

Meanwhile, a report by by former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Conservative chief William Hague says the UK ought to set up a “national laboratory” to check AI to change into the “brain” of each a British and worldwide regulator.

The former leaders argue {that a} “complete realignment” is required, together with an overhaul of presidency equipment, to reply to the “radically reshaped” society that the expertise is anticipated to create.

The report, titled A New National Purpose: AI Promises a World-Leading Future of Britain, suggests the nationwide lab would work with the non-public sector and different nations in researching and testing the expertise.

The five-year intention of the lab could be to “form the international regulatory function across the AI ecosystem,” the report says.

Read extra: AI risks are something humanity can manage – analysis

The system would must be “sufficiently resourced to operate at the cutting edge of AI”, the paper says, citing the £1bn yearly funds for DeepMind – an identical AI analysis undertaking – as a reference.

Britain ought to push for a brand new UN framework on pressing safeguards for the expertise together with the US and different allies, the report additionally concludes.