A minister at Whitehall’s tech department has claimed that this administration is keeping a close track on both the possible upsides and harms that could be caused by digital progress

Ministers have indicated that government’s plans for the potential impact on UK workers of artificial intelligence are taking into account a variety of possible outcomes.

Late last year, the government published its Get Britain Working White Paper, a major strategy document which set out an agenda of “radical reform” of public policy and government infrastructure intended to get many more people into work via “an inclusive and thriving labour market”.

The paper acknowledges that “artificial intelligence will impact the distribution of jobs and skills” – in particularly the likelihood that “technology change means that low-paid, low-skilled repetitive tasks are at risk of automation and AI replacement, which will create job losses. On the other hand,  “demand for STEM professionals is projected to grow”.

Almost a year on from the publication of its policy agenda for the future of work, Iqbal Mohamed, the independent MP for Dewsbury and Batley, asked the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, “what steps [it] is taking to introduce skills retraining and workforce support measures, in the context of the deployment of AI technologies in workplaces”.

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In response, Kanishka Narayan, who recently joined DSIT as a junior minister, indicated that government wishes to account for both the possibilities and the pitfalls of new technology and, accordingly, is planning for a range of eventualities.

“We want to ensure that people have access to good, meaningful work. AI will impact the labour market and government is working to harness its benefits in terms of boosting growth, productivity, living standards, and worker wellbeing, while mitigating the risks,” he said. “We’re planning for varied outcomes and monitoring data to track and prepare for these. The Get Britain Working White Paper sets out how we will address key challenges and that includes giving people the skills to get those jobs and spread opportunity to fix the foundations of our economy to seize AI’s potential.”

Narayan added: “The government is supporting workforce readiness for AI through a range of initiatives. The new AI Skills Hub, developed by Innovate UK and PwC, provides streamlined access to digital training. This will support government priorities through tackling critical skills gaps and improving workforce readiness. We are also partnering with 11 major companies to train 7.5 million UK workers in essential AI skills by 2030.”