The Dark Side of AI: Will the PM Protect Us?
The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has unveiled the AI Opportunities Action Plan as part of a grand strategy to use artificial intelligence to boost the country’s economic growth. Companies have pledged to invest £14 billion and create 13,250 jobs. Sounds like a win, right? Think again.
Behind the headlines and promises of prosperity, there are glaring ethical and societal questions that we cannot afford to ignore. Who really benefits? And at what cost?
Growth Zones: A New Divide?
The plan focuses on so-called “growth zones,” areas primed for investment and development. But what about the rest of the country? Once again, this could deepen the divide between the haves and have-nots. If your town isn’t lucky enough to be in a growth zone, what then? Will these plans lift everyone up or simply leave more communities behind?
AI and Job Losses: Lessons from the Past
Let’s not forget the painful lessons of the past. When the mines were shut, entire working-class communities were thrown into chaos. Are we walking into another scenario where the relentless march of AI leads to job losses with no safety net for those displaced?
We need guarantees—real, enforceable policies—that protect workers from being replaced without recourse. Retraining schemes? Job creation for those left behind? The government must answer these questions now, not when it’s too late.
Corporate Exploitation: Who’s Watching?
AI development isn’t just about innovation—it’s about power. Companies will exploit this opportunity for profit. If there’s funding, they’ll take it. If they can replace workers or slash wages, they will. And let’s not forget the issue of data theft—your data, my data, everyone’s data. Without strict protections, these corporations will exploit our personal information to fuel their models, all while sidestepping accountability.
We Must Fight for Fairness
This isn’t just a growth plan—it’s a battleground. If we don’t fight for fairness and ethics now, we risk a future where workers are disposable, data is stolen, and communities are abandoned.
We need a plan with fairness and ethics at its core:
- Workers must be safeguarded against exploitation and job loss.
- Data privacy must be a non-negotiable priority.
- Communities outside the growth zones must see real benefits, not empty promises.
This is your fight. Our fight. Don’t let the government and corporations shape this future unchecked. Hold them to account. Demand transparency. Demand fairness. Demand protection.
The time to act is now. Join the fight.
