Keir Starmer has insisted artificial intelligence ‘makes us more human’ in a keynote speech setting out his plans to use tech to create a ‘better future’ for generations to come
Keir Starmer has insisted artificial intelligence “makes us more human” in a keynote speech.
The PM suggested the tech could help workers spend more time on face-to-face help – instead of spending many hours filling out forms. It came as Mr Starmer said a new AI tool – ‘Extract’ – will also help speed up planning permission for new homes by scanning hundreds of files in a second.
The government said it will slash 250,000 hours spent by planning officers manually checking documents – freeing up valuable time. Mr Starmer said the tool was already being trialled in councils including Exeter and Nuneaton.
Addressing London tech week, he said: “What it does is take old hand-written planning documents and puts them into digital form within seconds. So jobs that otherwise would have taken hours and hours done in seconds. We want to roll that out across the country.”
READ MORE: Keir Starmer unveils plan to help one million schoolkids in major tech drive
During the event Mr Starmer also said a social worker told him at a No10 reception that AI had helped her concentrate on the “human element” of the job”.
He added: “I’ve always said AI and tech makes us more human, which sounds an odd thing to say, but it’s true. We need to say it because… some people out there are sceptical. They do worry about AI taking their job.”
But he added: “I believe the way that we work through this together is critical.”
Mr Starmer also said youngsters will be able to access more job opportunities in tech under a major drive to skill up Britain. The PM announced plans to help around one million school-age children gain skills in technology under a new TechFirst scheme.
It will help to prepare kids should they want to become AI engineers, computer scientists or data analysts in the future.
Mr Starmer has said that within the coming years the Government should be able to “look every parent in the eye” and pledge that tech can create a “better future” for their children.
Speaking on Monday, he said: “By the end of this Parliament we should be able to look every parent in the eye in every region in Britain and say ‘look what technology can deliver for you’.
“We can put money in your pocket, we can create wealth in your community, we can create good jobs, vastly improve our public services, and build a better future for your children. That, to me, is the opportunity we must seize. That’s what my plan for change will deliver and, today, I think we’re taking another big step towards it.”
READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster