UK starmer disrupts plans to ‘turbocharge’ living standards with AI | Technology

Britain’s Prime Minister says AI has the potential to ‘transform the lives of working people’.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will unveil a 50-point plan to transform the United Kingdom into a “world leader” in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deliver “a decade of national renewal”.

The AI ​​Opportunities Action Plan, set to be unveiled in Starmer’s speech on Monday, will create dedicated AI growth areas to “turbocharge” and “improve living standards”, the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the Prime Minister’s Office said. in a joint statement on Sunday.

The growth sites, the first of which will be established in Culham, Oxfordshire, will have faster planning permission for data centers and better access to the power grid, the statement said.

The plan, which adopts all 50 recommendations made by capitalist Matt Clifford in a report commissioned by the Labor Party government last year, also proposes a 20-fold increase in government-owned AI computing capacity and the creation of a National Data Library. and a dedicated AI Energy Council.

“Artificial Intelligence will bring amazing changes to our country. From teachers doing their own courses, to supporting small businesses with record keeping, to speeding up applications, it has the potential to change the lives of working people,” said Starmer.

“But the AI ​​industry needs a government on their side, one that will not sit back and let opportunities slip through their fingers. And in a highly competitive world, we cannot resist.”

Starmer’s announcement comes as his Labor government is bleeding support after six months in office amid weak economic conditions.

The UK economy recorded 0 percent growth in the third quarter of 2024, raising fears that the country could be heading for its second recession in a year.

Starmer’s government has estimated that AI could generate 47 billion pounds ($57m) in economic benefits each year over a decade, based on an analysis by the International Monetary Fund that found the technology could increase productivity by 1.5 percent a year. .

The UK is ranked third for AI vibrancy in the world, behind China and the United States, according to the 2023 Global AI Vibrancy Ranking compiled by Stanford University.

“Our plan will make Britain a world leader. It will give the industry the foundation it needs and it will improve the Transformation Plan,” said Starmer, referring to the six measures he has set for his government, including raising the standard of living at home and reducing hospital waiting lists.

“That means more jobs and investment in the UK, more money in people’s pockets, and transforming public services. That is the change that this government is bringing.”