The head of the government's AI taskforce, Ian Hogarth, has stated that protecting British jobs will be a challenge as artificial intelligence (AI) systems become more advanced. Hogarth

believes that it is "inevitable" that more jobs will become increasingly automated, requiring a global rethinking of work practices. He predicts that winners and losers will emerge globally in terms of job availability due to AI. The impact of AI on jobs has already been seen, with companies opting for AI tools over human workers, leading to job losses. For example, BT announced plans to shed approximately 10,000 staff by the end of the decade due to AI adoption.

However, there are also proponents who argue that these developments will bring forth new human jobs that do not currently exist, similar to the rise of the internet. A Goldman Sachs report released earlier this year highlighted that 60% of current jobs did not exist in 1940.

As the head of the new AI taskforce, Hogarth's goal is to assist the government in understanding the risks associated with advanced AI systems and holding companies accountable. He expressed concerns about potential harm caused by AI, such as wrongful arrests in law enforcement or the generation of malicious computer code leading to increased cybercrime. While acknowledging expert warnings about AI's potential existential threats, Hogarth also emphasizes the need to recognize the benefits of these technologies.

AI tools have shown promise in various sectors, particularly in healthcare, where they are being used to identify new antibiotics, assist patients with brain damage in regaining movement, and detect early symptoms of diseases. Hogarth shared his experience of developing a tool that could identify breast cancer signs in scans.

The AI taskforce has been allocated an initial £100 million to oversee AI safety research. Hogarth did not disclose specific plans for the funds but stated that he would consider his mission successful if "the average person in the UK starts to feel a benefit from AI."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made AI a priority and aims to establish the UK as a global hub for the sector. However, the UK faces challenges in positioning itself as a key player, including limited access to specialized hardware and a shortage of expertise and funding for AI startups. The government will need to address these issues to retain successful AI firms in the UK and support their growth. Photo by mikemacmarketing, Wikimedia commons.