AI 'is not about taking people's jobs'-minister

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) technologies will enhance the jobs of UK workers rather than take them away, a Government minister has claimed.

- JAMES ROBINSON

Stargate UK, will be based at several sites nationwide including Cobalt Park in North Tyneside

Science and Technology Minister Liz Kendall was speaking in the North East at an event to launch a task force to deliver the new AI growth zone.

Building on the success seen in Northumberland with a £10bn data-centre set to start construction near Cambois, the growth zone could see up to £30bn in investment involving some of the biggest tech companies in the world. British firm Nscale will work alongside US giants OpenAI and Nvidia to establish Stargate UK.

While Al investment has been welcomed, there is concern among some sections that AI could replace some existing jobs. A recent survey by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) found that half of all adults in the UK fear they could lose their job to AI.

But speaking to The Journal at the headquarters of tech firm Sage in North Tyneside, Ms Kendall said she did not believe that would be the case.

She said: "I would just tell you about how I have seen Al being used in practice, which is not about taking people's jobs, but about helping them do it better.

"I was at a local primary school where the teachers were using it to plan their lessons.