{ “title”: “The UK’s AI Future: A Call for Trust and Growth”, “description”: “A Liberal Democrat MP argues for prioritizing trust and collaboration to unlock AI’s potential for economic growth in the UK.”, “tags”: “Artificial intelligence (AI), Economic Growth”, “rewritten_content”: “Last summer, I joined the ranks of new MPs, a cohort that made history as the largest in recent times. Joining my colleagues gave me a clear sense that Parliament faced a critical moment, challenged by both a fragile economy and international instability. The enduring mismanagement by Conservative governments has burdened the UK, marked by stagnant growth and public services on the brink.
However, the ongoing industrial revolution propelled by artificial intelligence presents a unique opportunity to confront these crises. The government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan is a step in the right direction, but the current approach falls short of establishing the UK as a global leader in trustworthy technology. The UK is already a hub for AI development, home to pioneers like DeepMind. However, when it comes to AI adoption, we are lagging behind other nations. To bridge this gap, we must build public trust in AI and foster a cultural shift that embraces its potential. This starts with the UK leading the way with high-quality, trustworthy AI development. Unfortunately, the government appears to believe that safety and innovation are somehow at odds. This is a mistake. They must go hand-in-hand. Without trust, the adoption of AI will falter, and we risk missing out on its potential.
As the Ada Lovelace Institute emphasizes, trust in data and technology is essential for promoting inclusivity and economic growth. The government’s decision to rename the AI Safety Institute as the AI Security Institute raises concerns. Perhaps a strategic branding exercise, this move may be an attempt to appeal to figures like Elon Musk and other tech leaders. However, the announcement also acknowledged the Institute’s intention to abandon its focus on bias and free speech. This shift came just days after the UK’s failure to endorse the Paris Agreement on AI Safety, a significant error. Instead of embracing international cooperation, as our European allies have done, the government seemed to be currying favor with Trump and Musk, demonstrating a lack of vision.
This stance is particularly ironic given London’s parallel AI Fringe event, which focused on a more collaborative and inclusive AI ecosystem. Such a short-sighted approach undermines our reputation for responsible governance and reliability—reputation that underpins the global trust in our legal and financial systems. If the aim is economic growth, it must be understood that safety and trust are vital for the UK’s success in services.
The government’s stance on AI and the creative industries is another misstep. AI should be a game-changing tool for creatives, but by proposing that creators should submit to unlicensed use of their works for AI training, Labour has created needless conflict with a sector identified as a key growth driver. Our world-leading creatives are being asked to surrender intellectual property rights that have underpinned their success for decades. Paul McCartney and Elton John are among 40,000 creatives urging the government to reconsider.
As the third-largest party in parliament, the Liberal Democrats will be the voice pushing for an AI revolution that can deliver growth for everyone. The UK can and must lead the world in AI-driven growth. That means putting trust at the centre of AI policy, standing firm on global cooperation, and ensuring no one is left behind.” }
