Keir Starmer Reveals 50-Point AI Plan for UK

Published Date : 11/01/2025 

Keir Starmer has launched a 50-point plan to recruit AI experts and boost the UK's AI capabilities, including setting up government AI compute capacity and working with leading tech firms like Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Meta AI. 

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has greenlit a comprehensive 50-point plan to revolutionize the UK’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI).

The plan, set to be unveiled next week, aims to position the UK as a global leader in AI technology through a combination of immigration reforms, increased investment, and educational initiatives.

The recruitment of thousands of new AI experts by both the government and private sector is a cornerstone of the plan.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to transform Britain into a powerhouse of AI innovation.

The plan also emphasizes the importance of pushing students towards AI-focused courses, with the goal of producing a steady stream of new graduates to meet the growing demand for skilled AI professionals.

The Independent has obtained a copy of the AI action plan, which Sir Keir Starmer warns is crucial to prevent the UK from being controlled by foreign powers.

The plan outlines the government’s intention to establish its own public sector AI compute capacity, collaborate with the private sector, and build new data centers across the country.

This move is seen as essential as the UK joins the global race to harness the benefits of AI.

While some experts have described the plan as ‘underwhelming,’ it highlights the potential of AI to significantly enhance public services.

For instance, the technology could reduce the workload of teachers and other public sector employees by up to 20% by automating tasks such as paperwork, reports, and lesson planning.

In his foreword to the plan, Sir Keir emphasizes the importance of embracing the AI revolution to drive economic growth.

He states, “Advances in AI will define the decade to come.

This will bring extraordinary opportunities.

But those opportunities will only be available to the countries and companies who can make AI work for them.

Our choice is not whether the AI revolution happens—that is out of our hands.

We must decide whether we want to get ahead and shape that revolution, or sit back passively and wait for it to shape us.”

Sir Keir acknowledges the need to balance innovation with public confidence.

He adds, “Shaping a successful AI future for Britain requires us to act and invest now.

Failure to do so will condemn us to merely obeying decisions made by others beyond our borders.

I want Britain to be a leader in this technological revolution, not a follower.”

The strategy is built on four pillars creating UK government AI compute capacity, encouraging AI entrepreneurship, providing global leadership on AI safety, and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of AI companies in London.

This includes major players such as Google DeepMind’s headquarters, significant OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Meta AI offices, as well as emerging local winners like Wayve, the autonomous vehicle company.

The UK plans to publish an AI investment plan within the next six months, with the goal of increasing AI compute capacity by 20 times the current rate by 2030.

The government is also set to establish AI growth zones and may adopt technology used by companies like Amazon to improve operational efficiency.

Recognizing the current lack of expertise in Whitehall and the broader country, the plan includes a recruitment strategy to attract fresh talent.

The strategy aims to offer pay levels of at least 75% of the private sector average and establish an internal headhunting capability to attract top AI professionals to the UK.

The plan also focuses on increasing diversity in the AI sector.

In 2022, 46,000 students graduated from AI-relevant higher education programs in the UK, the highest in Europe.

However, the UK lags behind countries like Finland on a per capita basis.

Additionally, only 22% of people working in AI and data science are women.

Achieving gender parity could add thousands of additional workers to the sector.

The AI conversion courses have helped diversify the pipeline, but more needs to be done to address the skills gap.

To make the UK more competitive, the plan also calls for reforms to the text and data mining regime, ensuring it is at least as competitive as the EU’s.

This move is designed to make the UK a more attractive destination for AI research and development.

In conclusion, Keir Starmer’s 50-point plan for AI is a significant step towards positioning the UK as a leader in the global AI race.

By focusing on recruitment, investment, and innovation, the plan aims to ensure that the UK not only participates in the AI revolution but leads it. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Q: What is Keir Starmer's 50-point plan for AI?

A: Keir Starmer's 50-point plan for AI is a comprehensive strategy to make the UK a global leader in artificial intelligence. It includes recruiting AI experts, increasing investment, and pushing for more AI-focused education.

Q: How does the plan aim to boost the UK's AI capabilities?

A: The plan aims to boost the UK's AI capabilities by setting up government AI compute capacity, building new data centers, and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of AI companies in London, including major players like Google DeepMind and OpenAI.

Q: What are the four pillars of the AI strategy?

A: The four pillars of the AI strategy are creating UK government AI compute capacity, encouraging AI entrepreneurship, providing global leadership on AI safety, and fostering a thriving ecosystem of AI companies in London.

Q: How does the plan address the lack of expertise in AI?

A: The plan includes a recruitment strategy to attract fresh talent, offering pay levels of at least 75% of the private sector average and establishing an internal headhunting capability to bring top AI professionals to the UK.

Q: What role does diversity play in the AI plan?

A: The plan emphasizes the need to increase diversity in the AI sector, focusing on increasing the number of women in AI and data science roles. Achieving gender parity could add thousands of additional workers to the sector. 

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