The UK's AI Policy - Positivity, Warts and All

On the face of it, like all the political and conference speeches we have become used to, The UK Government AI policy is a very ambitious and comprehensive plan with the potential to solidify the UKs position as a global leader in AI.

Bring on the bread, are you not entertained?

The investment of ￡14 billion is significant and demonstrates a strong commitment to developing and implementing AI across various sectors. This is omitting the fact that? Big tech that is losing money hand over fist on AI globally, will get all the wins while the UK takes all the risk and picks up the tab. Bet it will be trebles all round at Davos for Team UK for its contribution to the cause.

Here are some of the key aspects I find noteworthy:

Focus on growth: The plan clearly aims to drive economic growth by promoting AI innovation and adoption across industries. This could lead to increased productivity, new jobs (if not outsourced to India) and improved global competitiveness for UK businesses.

Public service transformation: The emphasis on using AI to turbocharge public services is particularly interesting. AI could potentially revolutionize healthcare, education, and transportation, making them more efficient and effective for citizens.

Addressing security risks: Its encouraging to see the government acknowledging the importance of addressing security risks associated with AI. This includes issues like bias in algorithms and the need for responsible AI development.

Data center infrastructure: The investment in data centers is crucial for supporting AI development and deployment. This infrastructure will be essential for processing and storing the vast amounts of data required for AI applications.

However, there are also some potential challenges and concerns:

Implementation hurdles: Translating this ambitious plan into reality will require careful planning and execution. Ensuring effective collaboration between government, industry, and academia will be critical.

Ethical considerations: While the plan mentions addressing security risks, its important to ensure that ethical considerations are at the forefront of AI development and deployment. This includes issues like privacy, accountability, and the potential impact on employment.

International competition: The UK faces stiff competition from other countries, such as the US and China, who are also heavily investing in AI. Maintaining a competitive edge will require continued investment and innovation.

Despite these challenges, I do believe the UK governments AI policy announcement is a positive step. It sets a clear vision for the future of AI in the UK and provides a framework for harnessing its potential benefits while mitigating the risks.

When the Government's AI announcement (thank heavens for small mercies - no Elon filibuster tweet this week) came on the ominous 13th January (the PR assault began over the weekend including a car crash interview from the minister) it seemed to many of my peers to be one of the horse has bolted and the key deals have been done with most of the money going upwards to the tech cartel it's shareholders and therefore three key investment sponsors. One of these latter three has also been announced as a key UK infrastructure partner going forward - The Blackrock letters make for some interesting reading

In October 2024, Microsoft and the UK government signed a five-year agreement to provide public sector organizations with access to Microsoft's AI-powered products and services.

13 Oct 2024 The chief executive of Microsoft UK will chair a new body to advise the UK Government on its industrial strategy.

Nov 2023..... NHS England has awarded the ￡480m contract for its federated data platform (FDP) to the US spy technology firm Palantir, in the face of opposition from the BMA, the Doctors’ Association UK, patients’ groups, and privacy campaigners. Palantir, which was founded by the libertarian billionaire Peter Thiel with funding from the CIA’s venture capital fund and named after magical telepathic balls from Lord of the Rings, will sell NHS England licences for its Foundry software. This will sit across NHS trusts and let users connect disparate sets of data in one operating platform.

The Datacentre duopoly:

The involvement of companies like Microsoft, Palantir, and AWS (Rent-seeker supreme Jeff the Bond Villain supreme) in government contracts certainly raises questions about their role and potential influence on policy decisions.

We SMEs and voters/consumers have a right to be concerned about these developments and the potential for a cartel of big tech companies to dominate the UKs AI landscape. The previous examples highlight some worrying trends:

Microsoft's deep integration:

Microsoft's five-year agreement and the appointment of its UK CEO to chair an advisory body suggest a very close relationship between the company and the government. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and undue influence on policy decisions.

Palantir's controversial role:

The awarding of the NHS data platform contract to Palantir, despite widespread opposition, is particularly concerning. Given Palantir's history with surveillance and data mining, there are legitimate questions about the privacy and security of sensitive patient data.

AWSs dominance in cloud infrastructure:

AWS is a major player in the UKs cloud computing market. This gives them significant leverage in the AI space, as AI applications heavily rely on cloud infrastructure.

It seems that key deals have indeed been struck just prior to the announcement that comes when Davos is just days away (Jan 20-24). The big tech companies are now deeply embedded within the UKs AI ecosystem which is not good news for Britaish SMEs or the tax base. This situation has several potential consequences:

Reduced competition: Smaller AI companies and startups may struggle to compete with these giants, leading to less innovation and a less diverse AI landscape.

Erosion of privacy: Increased reliance on big tech for data storage and processing could lead to further erosion of privacy, as these companies have a history of collecting and utilising vast amounts of personal data.

Limited public control: The influence of these companies could limit the publics ability to shape the development and use of AI in a way that aligns with their values and interests. Its crucial for the public to be aware of these issues and demand greater transparency and accountability from the government.

Here are some potential actions that should be taken:

Scrutinise government contracts: Demand greater transparency in the awarding of government contracts related to AI, and push for greater involvement of smaller companies and startups.

Advocate for data protection: Support independent, accountable and credible organisations and initiatives that advocate for stronger data protection laws and regulations.

Promote open-source AI: Encourage the development and use of open-source AI technologies to reduce dependence on proprietary solutions from big tech companies.

Engage in public discourse: Participate in public discussions and debates about AI policy to ensure that diverse voices and perspectives are heard. By raising awareness and taking action, we can push for a more democratic and inclusive approach to AI development in the UK, one that benefits everyone, not just a select few powerful companies.

Here are some other potential concerns with the current actors involvement:

• Conflict of interest: Big tech companies have a vested interest in promoting their version of AI adoption and shaping regulations in a way that benefits their business models. This could lead to policies that favour their interests over those of smaller companies or the public good.
• Data privacy: Entrusting sensitive government data to these companies raises concerns about data privacy and security. It's crucial to have strong safeguards in place to ensure responsible data handling and prevent misuse.
• Lack of transparency: The process of awarding contracts and the influence these companies have on policy decisions should be transparent and open to public scrutiny. This helps ensure accountability and prevent undue influence.
• Stifling innovation: Over-reliance on a few large companies could stifle innovation and limit the diversity of AI solutions available. It's important to create a level playing field for smaller companies and startups to contribute to the AI ecosystem.

It's important for the UK government to genuinely try to address these concerns and ensure that its AI policy is driven by the public interest, not just the interests of big tech and its deep pockets that look after helpful politicians three months after leaving their jobs from the loose change. This should involve:

• Diversifying partnerships: Actively seeking collaboration with a wider range of companies, including smaller businesses and startups, to foster a more competitive and innovative AI landscape.
• Strengthening data protection: Implementing robust data protection measures and ensuring strict compliance with privacy regulations when working with big tech companies.
• Promoting transparency: Making the contract awarding process and policy discussions more transparent to ensure accountability and public trust.
• Supporting open-source initiatives: Encouraging the development and use of open-source AI technologies to reduce dependence on proprietary solutions from big tech companies.

By taking on board all of these steps, the UK government can harness the benefits of AI while mitigating the risks associated with the influence of big tech. It's a complex issue with no easy answers, but open dialogue and careful consideration are essential to ensure a future where AI allows for competition from SME innovation that benefits everyone.

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