AI: Labour Market Changes
Debate between Lord Leong and Lord Ranger of Northwood
Lord Leong (Lab)
The noble Lord knows that we work globally with our international partners, as I said when I responded to his question a few weeks ago. The Future of Work Unit serves as a government centre of expertise on how AI is changing jobs and work. The unit works with businesses, academics and social philosophers to understand how this technology will impact the workplace and also how it will impact socially. The AI Security Institute is well placed to work with this unit.
Lord Ranger of Northwood (Con)
My Lords, the Government recently attended the India AI summit, with its focus on international collaboration. We know that AI works across geographies and that the impact on the labour force will be across geographies. What discussions were had around how the new Future of Work Unit and the institute will work with India or other geographies in looking at labour market disruption?
Lord Leong (Lab)
My Lords, the recent India AI summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi declaration on AI impact, endorsed by nearly 90 countries. The declaration promotes international co-operation on its benefits, including equitable, enhanced trustworthiness and security, and on expanding access to AI for social and economic growth. We are also signing a leader statement in support of India’s agenda this year. So we are working with India and acknowledging that we have to come together globally to address this issue.
AI Superintelligence
Debate between Lord Leong and Lord Ranger of Northwood
Lord Leong (Lab)
My Lords, the Government are taking a proactive, evidence-led approach to the potential emergence of advanced AI. We have empowered the AI Security Institute, the world’s first state-backed body of its kind, to carry out onerous testing of frontier models against clear red lines, including autonomous self-replication and deception. In the last couple of months, the AI Security Institute has conducted more than 30 such tests, and will be working with partners to ensure that AI is safe for the general public.
Lord Ranger of Northwood (Con)
My Lords, I have always welcomed the approach the Government have taken to regulation in the AI space, particularly a proportionate approach, considering where we are in the development of AI businesses and technologies—in a global battle. With regard to artificial general intelligence—the singularity—it must be stated that most experts predict this to happen between 2040 and 2045, if at all. But right here, right now, the UK is in a global battle, particularly the SMEs that are developing businesses in AI here, creating jobs and investing. I appreciate that it has now been a year since the Government produced their AI opportunities action plan, but can the Minister please advise the House what has been done to help the UK AI SME industry to win government contracts? The concern I hear—I declare an interest as a co-founder of the Business AI Alliance, with over 200 UK AI SME members—is that these companies cannot get the contracts the Government are putting out.
Lord Leong (Lab)
First, the noble Lord is absolutely right to highlight this issue. I really welcome his continued engagement on this. Small and medium-sized enterprises are vital to AI-driven growth. The Government are supporting SMEs through a whole series of targeted innovation funding, access to test bids—which is available now—and digital adoption programmes, alongside partnerships with research institutions. By lowering barriers to experimentation, we enable smaller firms to enhance productivity and compete more effectively. This ensures that the economic benefits of AI are shared across the country, fostering a diverse and resilient digital economy throughout the United Kingdom.