Disturbing AI verdict given however Labour make ‘no Margaret Thatcher’ vow
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall compared the impact of technology on the jobs market to the industrial changes of the 1980s – but she made a vow not to follow the Tories’ example
Liz Kendall admitted jobs will go – but insisted new jobs will be created(Image: Getty Images)
Liz Kendall has admitted “some jobs will go” due to artificial intelligence (AI) but has promised to support people into new employment.
In a speech on Wednesday, the Technology Secretary compared the impact of technology on the jobs market to the industrial changes of the 1980s. But she vowed not to leave communities behind like Margaret Thatcher did – saying Labour “will support people through the jobs transition”.
Speaking from Bloomberg’s HQ in central London, Ms Kendall said jobs will be created by AI but added: “I want to level with the public, some jobs will go.”
She continued: “Unlike the Conservatives in the 1980s, who left all communities to sink or swim and told those who lost their jobs to get on your bike, we will not leave individuals and communities to cope on their own.
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“That is not the Labour way. We are pro-progress, but we are also progressives in the age of AI. We are not going to tell people to get on their E-bikes. Far from it. We will support people through the jobs transition and the principles and values that will guide our approach are clear.
“Our aim is to ensure AI boosts jobs and growth, to support workers to adapt, protect communities from the mistakes of past industrial change, and develop a fair and dignified future where more people are helped into better jobs in a more productive and growing economy.”
Pressed on what jobs would go, and how many, Ms Kendall admitted the evidence was mixed. “We know people are worried about graduate entry jobs in places like law and finance but we’re also seeing new jobs being created,” she told reporters after her speech.
“There are many different predictions from all the different organisations and most of them predict that more jobs will be created than will go. But I’m not complacent about that. I think history teaches us that you need to actually help people through that and have a proper plan of action.”
She pointed to the Government’s announcement yesterday to offer every adult in the UK free courses to gain practical AI skills.
And Ms Kendall – the former DWP Secretary – also announced plans for a Future of Work unit within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, supported by the Confederation of British Industry and the TUC, to analyse the impact of AI on the labour market and to deliver practical support.
She also vowed to make Britain the leading AI adopter in the G7.
