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Hunt urgently urges ministers to embrace AI revolution or risk economic downfall

### Introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a top priority for the UK government, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging ministers to seize the opportunities it presents. Hunt aims to use AI to save money, boost economic growth, and improve failing public services. As part of this initiative, John Glen, Hunt’s deputy at the Treasury, has been tasked with producing a report on accelerating the rollout of AI in public services. Steve Barclay, the health secretary, also sees the potential of AI in transforming the NHS without placing additional burden on staff.

### The Push for AI Adoption
Hunt’s focus on AI stems from his desire to spur economic growth and create fiscal leeway for tax cuts before the 2024 general election. The Treasury has reminded ministers about the need to find efficiency savings to support this goal. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Hunt believe that an AI revolution could break the cycle of low growth and high taxes. To further this agenda, Sunak has appointed Ian Hogarth, a technology investor and entrepreneur, as chairman of the government’s foundation model task force. This task force will lead the development of AI and play a significant role in the upcoming Global AI Summit to be hosted by Sunak in the UK.

### The Importance of the Global AI Summit
The Global AI Summit, announced by Sunak alongside President Joe Biden, is expected to be a pivotal moment for AI development. Chloe Smith, the science and technology secretary, anticipates the attendance of world leaders and industry experts at the summit. Hogarth’s task force will focus on AI security research to develop safe and reliable foundational models that can be applied across the economy. The task force will be modeled after the successful vaccines task force established in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and will receive initial government funding of £100m.

### Britain’s Leadership in AI Regulation
Sunak believes that Britain can lead the way in AI regulation, adopting a “less draconian” approach compared to the EU. Hunt shares this enthusiasm for AI and its potential. However, Sajid Javid, the former chancellor, criticizes the government’s investment in AI, arguing that the allocated £900m for a new supercomputer supporting AI is insufficient.

### The NHS and AI
Barclay recognizes the need to change the perception of productivity and sees AI as a solution to remove bottlenecks and improve patient care in the NHS. At an NHS conference, she highlighted the rapid developments in AI and how it could enhance patient safety in maternity services. The goal is to leverage AI technology to treat conditions sooner and improve overall healthcare delivery.

### The UK’s Unique Role in AI
Smith emphasizes that the UK can play a unique role in AI development by building on existing strengths and leveraging differences from larger blocs. The government sees AI as a means to boost the economy, provide better public services, and ensure responsible development for the benefit of future generations.

### Additional Piece: The Transformative Power of AI for Public Services
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize public services in the UK, offering numerous benefits and opportunities for improvement. By harnessing the power of AI, the government can achieve significant cost savings, boost economic growth, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public services.

One area where AI can make a substantial impact is healthcare. The NHS, with its vast amount of patient data, can utilize AI algorithms and predictive models to improve diagnoses, identify trends, and optimize resource allocation. AI-powered chatbots can provide real-time assistance to patients, answering common queries and alleviating the burden on healthcare professionals. AI can also aid in medical research, enabling the discovery of novel treatments and interventions.

In the education sector, AI can revolutionize learning by personalizing instruction, adapting to each student’s needs, and providing targeted interventions. AI-powered tutoring systems can analyze student performance data and provide tailored feedback and guidance. This individualized approach can lead to improved learning outcomes and educational equity.

AI can also play a pivotal role in enhancing public safety and security. By analyzing vast amounts of data from various sources, AI algorithms can detect patterns and identify potential threats in real-time. This can help law enforcement agencies prevent crime, respond more effectively to emergencies, and ensure greater public safety.

In addition to these sectors, AI can transform transportation systems, urban planning, energy management, and many other areas of public services. By embracing AI, the UK government can drive innovation, stimulate economic growth, and improve the lives of its citizens.

### Summary
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is urging ministers to seize the opportunities presented by AI to save money, boost economic growth, and improve public services. The government aims to accelerate the rollout of AI in public services and is hosting the Global AI Summit to further this agenda. The UK aspires to lead in AI regulation and believes it can play a unique role in its development. The NHS, education, and public safety are among the sectors that can benefit significantly from the transformative power of AI. By adopting AI technology responsibly, the UK government can revolutionize public services and create a brighter future for its citizens.

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Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, has told ministers to step up work to seize the opportunities of artificial intelligence to save money, boost Britain’s slow growth rate and restart failing public services.

John Glen, Hunt’s deputy at the Treasury, was instructed by the clerk to produce a report ahead of the autumn declaration on increasing public service productivity, with a focus on accelerating the rollout of AI.

Meanwhile Steve Barclay, the health secretary, said the technology could be used to transform the NHS by increasing its productivity without requiring staff to work harder.

Hunt hopes that by spurring growth and saving money in the public sector, he can find a fiscal leeway for tax cuts before the 2024 general election. However, time is running out. The Treasury wrote to ministers last week to remind them of the need to find efficiency savings, while Hunt’s allies said Glen is pushing ministers to speed up the rollout of AI.

The potential for an AI revolution has become Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Hunt’s top concern in recent weeks as they seek to break a cycle of low growth and high taxes.

On Sunday, Sunak announced the appointment of Ian Hogartha technology investor and entrepreneur, as chairman of the government’s foundation model task force, which will lead the development of AI.

Hogarth will also play a leading role in the first Global AI Summit, to be hosted by Sunak in the UK in December, announced by the Prime Minister alongside President Joe Biden at the White House earlier this month.

Chloe Smith, the science and technology secretary, told the FT last week that the summit would be a pivotal moment and she expected world leaders to attend alongside industry experts.

Hogarth’s task force will spearhead AI security research to help develop safe and reliable foundational models: general-purpose AI systems trained on massive data sets that can be applied to tasks across the economy.

Downing Street said it would be modeled on the successful vaccines task force set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and would be supported with initial government funding of £100m.

Sunday Sunak said, “The more AI advances, the more opportunities there are to grow our economy and provide better public services. But with such potential to transform our future, we owe it to our children and grandchildren to ensure AI develops in safe and responsible ways.”

Sunak believes Britain can lead the way in safe but minimal regulation of AI, adopting what one minister called a “less draconian” approach than the EU is likely to adopt. Hunt is also a zealous advocate of AI.

However, Sajid Javid, the former chancellor, warned last week that Sunak should have invested much more money in the sector, arguing the £900m earmarked for a new supercomputer to support AI was too weak.

Meanwhile Barclay has told colleagues that ‘we need to change the perception that productivity is telling people to work harder’ and wants to use technology to remove NHS bottlenecks and treat conditions sooner.

At an NHS conference last week she singled out “rapid developments in AI” and said that, for example, her department was exploring “how we can use AI to improve patient safety in maternity services”.

Smith told the FT: ‘In fields like artificial intelligence, we think the UK can play a unique role that builds on our existing strengths but draws on some of the differences from some of the larger blocs.’


https://www.ft.com/content/626b16e9-22b2-42fa-9e54-f1b1f249ce66
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