Sir Keir Starmer has made a “fundamental concession” to the benefits of Brexit as he trumpeted Britain forging ahead to become one of the great “AI superpowers” during a speech today, it has been claimed.
The Labour Prime Minister has made warm overtures towards the European Union since taking office in July proclaiming a “reset” in relations between the bloc and the UK.
But in a startling speech at University College London, Sir Keir appeared to admit Britain would be going it alone as it seeks to become a world leader in one of the key technologies of the future.
He said: “We will go our own way on this. Mark my words, Britain will be one of the great AI superpowers.”
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Stuart Coster, Director of the Democracy Movement, said the PM’s speech was a “big admission” of the benefits of Brexit.
He said: “It’s great to hear this admission of the Brexit benefit of the freedom to draw up our own regulations, and how that will make the UK an ‘AI superpower’.
“And of course, it’s a big admission of the advantage of leaving the EU that goes well beyond AI.
“It’s an absolutely fundamental concession to the case for Brexit because it’s not just about AI, it applies to any regulations that the Government may be thinking about.”
Mr Coster said Sir Keir’s speech could worry those who might be hoping a Labour administration means closer ties with the EU.
He added: “I think the speech today will worry them because the PM has made a huge concession towards the fundamental Brexit case, that it is in our interest to make regulations with UK interests in mind, that applies to AI, and many other areas as well, and that was a fundamental point made by the Leave campaign.
“It certainly shows co-operation with our European neighbours is perfectly possible, even perhaps more effective, from outside the EU, in contrast to the ‘isolation’ Remainers threatened at the referendum.”
The Prime Minister conceded there would be “teething problems” involved in the development of AI but insisted the technology would help revolutionise creaking public services and turn around Britain’s economy.
The Government has said it will “take forward” all 50 recommendations made by tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford, who was commissioned by Science Secretary Peter Kyle in July to come up with a plan to identify AI opportunities.
Among the proposals are greater use of the technology in the public sector to enable workers to spend less time doing administrative tasks and more time delivering services, as well as a series of AI “growth zones” around Britain to help speed up planning approvals for data centres and improve access to the energy grid.
Sir Keir added: “AI isn’t something locked away behind the walls of blue chip companies; it’s a force for change that will transform the lives of working people for the better.
“So if you’re sitting around the kitchen table tonight worrying about the opportunities at your children’s school, AI can help teachers plan a lesson tailored to your children’s specific needs.
“If you’re worried about waiting times – aren’t we all? AI can save hundreds of thousands of hours lost to missed appointments, because it can identify those on the list most likely not to turn up and help get them the support that they need, maybe change for a more convenient appointment.
“It can spot potholes quicker, speed up planning applications, reduce job centre form-filling, help with the fight against tax avoidance and almost halve the time that social workers spend on paperwork.”
