The boom in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is at risk of completely changing how we work unless urgent regulation is introduced, an MP has warned
Brits could be enjoying four-day working weeks within a decade as artificial intelligence takes over the workforce – but it comes with a major catch.
Former Treasury minister Darren Jones has delivered a stark warning that the rapid rise of AI could wipe out everyday office jobs unless the government steps in to regulate the tech boom. Speaking out on the explosion of smart technology, the Labour MP for Bristol North West admitted politicians in parliament are moving “too slow” to keep up with the threat to British workers.
Addressing a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Jones warned that if corporate bosses are left to their own devices, administrators, receptionists and university graduates will be thrown onto the scrapheap to cut costs.
“If you just leave it to the market and businesses say, ‘I’m going to implement this technology and now I don’t need my administrators or receptionists,’ then suddenly all those people will lose their jobs,” he said.
“There will be some new jobs created, but I don’t think there will be enough to match the number of people in the labour market.”
The MP cautioned that the sudden wave of layoffs could push struggling families to the brink if they are left unable to pay their monthly mortgages.
“I want to spend more time on this because I think if we get it wrong, it’ll be really bad for the British economy, but it could also usher in populist politics,” Jones added. “You’ve got a really bad situation.”
However, the former cabinet figure insisted there is a massive silver lining for British workers if ministers step in before it’s too late, predicting a four-day work week could become the norm within ten years.
“I think that would be a really positive thing actually,” he said.
“If people have a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off, I think that sounds really good. It’s more time with your kids, more time to do the washing or the gardening or whatever you do with your time.”
He insisted that the dream of having Fridays off permanently could easily become a reality, so long as politicians “put their foot down” to make sure bosses don’t use the tech takeover to slash pay packets.