New AI Minister Says Public "Right to Worry"
The government’s newly appointed minister for artificial intelligence has said the public are “right to worry” about the technology, in a notably cautious opening message. The remarks acknowledged public anxiety over jobs, misinformation and safety, even as ministers court investment in the fast-growing sector. It is one of the first clear statements of the Burnham government’s approach to AI.
Artificial intelligence has advanced at a dizzying pace, stirring hopes of an economic boom and fears of disruption in equal measure, and governments everywhere are scrambling to regulate it without stifling it. By validating public concern rather than dismissing it, the minister struck a different tone from the boosterism common among politicians eager for investment. The challenge will be turning cautious words into rules that protect people without driving innovation abroad. Britain has sought to position itself as a hub for AI safety. Watch for the government’s promised approach to regulation.