Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, insists Labour will make artificial intelligence 'work for workers' and not abandon people whose jobs are swept away by automation. With public fears mounting about AI's impact on employment, particularly for young people, Kendall claims the government can shape how AI is adopted.
Government's Role in AI Adoption
'We've got to make sure AI enhances work: that we help people through the jobs transition, and we're not like the Tories, who just leave people to cope on their own,' Kendall said. The former leadership contender is rumored to be vulnerable to being dropped from the cabinet if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election and shifts Labour leftward.
Before London Tech Week from 8 June, Kendall set out a distinctly Labour approach to AI adoption. Speaking in her Whitehall office, she said: 'For everything that is going on in the world and within my party, every single day this government is making a difference. It's up to us, collectively, to choose, to act, to make this work for Britain; and as a Labour government, to make sure it works for workers and people in disadvantaged areas, not just a powerful, unaccountable few.'
Training and Skills Initiatives
Kendall adjusted the government's £187 million TechFirst AI training scheme so that 40% of the 1 million children it aims to reach will be in disadvantaged schools. She also highlighted two summer skills camps for young people not in education, employment, or training (Neets) in north-east and north-west England. These schemes, delivered with businesses, aim to open up apprenticeship opportunities. Initially small—60 places in the north-west and 20 in the north-east—they are expected to scale up.
'We will have a national programme to prevent young people at risk of becoming Neet, to make sure they get a free summer skills programme that we hope will lead many to an apprenticeship,' Kendall said. The north-east scheme, part of government plans for an AI growth zone, is funded by Labour's Youth Guarantee, which supports young people out of work for 18 months or more.
Kendall added: 'We have got to make sure that everybody has a chance to seize the opportunities from AI, and that means making sure the people and places that most need a decent shot at life get the chances and choices they deserve.'
Addressing Fears of Job Losses
Kristalina Georgieva, IMF managing director, warned AI will be a 'tsunami hitting the labour market,' with the young worst affected. Kendall played down mass job loss fears: 'Jobs will be created. Jobs will change. And some jobs will go. That is what happens with every general purpose technology.'
The Commons science committee called for the government to cancel a big contract with US tech company Palantir for digitizing the NHS. Kendall said she understood concerns but the decision on a 'break clause' would be made by Health Secretary James Murray. 'Having our NHS digitised is really important for improving patient outcomes and making doctors' and nurses' lives easier. But we do want to see much more backing for British AI companies,' she added.
Social Media and Children's Safety
Kendall declined to comment on the government's consultation on banning social media for under-16s, but noted the overwhelming parental response called for action. She stressed ministers are looking at wider issues, including how children interact with chatbots. 'We're not just looking at social media for under-16s, yes or no. We're looking at issues like 'stranger pairing' and livestreaming in gaming, AI chatbots, and better age-verification measures,' Kendall said. Stranger pairing allows unknown individuals to interact with children via video games.
Kendall said the government's willingness to consider tough restrictions is part of a wider determination not to be passive in the face of big tech. 'Too much of this debate is as if this is being done to us, and we say yes or no. But the truth is, the choice isn't between having AI or trying to stop it. The choice is between shaping it to work for us or being left at its mercy.'
