Following a decisive victory in the general election, the Labour Party now commands a substantial majority, placing them in a powerful position to influence the UK’s economic and technological future.
As businesses and industries look to the new government for direction, two key voices in the tech sector, Rupal Karia, Country Leader UK&I at Celonis, and James Hall, VP & Country Manager UK&I at Snowflake, have provided crucial insights on the regulatory framework and investments needed to both regulate and harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the UK.
The Economic Landscape and AI Potential
Rupal Karia, Country Leader UK&I at Celonis,
underscores the urgency of addressing inefficiencies in UK businesses to stimulate growth. “Now that we know the size of Labour’s majority and the decisive action they will be able to take with it, this government needs to deliver on the investments in infrastructure, industrial strategies, and tax that have been at the forefront of recent conversations around economic policy,” Karia states. She emphasizes that while these policies may take years to impact the economy, immediate measures to enhance efficiency through process intelligence can yield significant benefits.
Karia advocates for leveraging data-based methods to streamline operations, thus making businesses leaner and more agile. “Delivering fast growth is tough, but in the meantime, businesses can become leaner and more agile, gaining maximum value within their current processes. This allows greater efficiency, increases productivity, and accelerates digital transformation – all of which will help Labour in achieving its economic goals.”
Strategic Investment in AI
James Hall, VP & Country Manager, UK&I at Snowflake,
highlights the necessity of tech investment, particularly in AI, to enhance public services and improve citizens’ lives. “Now we know the Labour party has won the election with a substantial majority, it is crucial the new government places an emphasis on tech investment, particularly around AI, which will be paramount to streamlining services and enhancing citizens’ lives,” Hall asserts. He suggests the appointment of Chief AI Officers across government departments to ensure AI is integrated into the core of public services.
Hall further proposes the creation of an AI fund to foster public-private innovation and the commercialization of data through synthetic data, which mimics real-world information while protecting privacy. This approach offers a dual benefit of unlocking data value and maintaining robust privacy protections.
Regulatory Framework for AI
In terms of regulation, Hall recommends industry-specific rules, especially in critical sectors like healthcare and pharmaceuticals. “For the pharmaceutical industry, in particular, there needs to be more robust agreements established on the use of medical data, with internal investment to manage and protect this data,” he explains. He suggests profit-sharing or IP rights provisions when companies benefit from UK resources, ensuring a fair return on public investment.
Hall also calls for a dedicated office to oversee AI initiatives, ensuring diverse stakeholder engagement in shaping AI and data policies. “These steps will be crucial for the new government to support data-driven industries and ensure they can capitalise on AI, thus positioning the UK as a global innovation powerhouse whilst ensuring sustainable growth and protecting national interests.”
Labour’s victory presents a unique opportunity to shape the UK’s future through strategic investments in AI and robust regulatory frameworks. By addressing inefficiencies in businesses and prioritising tech investments, the new government can drive economic growth and enhance public services. As the Labour Party begins its term, the focus on AI will be pivotal in positioning the UK as a leader in the global digital economy.
