In a significant address on the future of work, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has delivered a sobering assessment of artificial intelligence's impact on employment while making a firm commitment to avoid the industrial upheaval strategies of the 1980s.
Acknowledging the AI Disruption
Speaking from Bloomberg's headquarters in central London, Ms Kendall directly confronted public anxieties about technological displacement. "I want to level with the public, some jobs will go," she stated unequivocally. This frank admission came during a speech where she drew parallels between the current AI revolution and the profound industrial changes that reshaped Britain decades ago.
Drawing a Line with the Past
The Labour minister explicitly distanced her government's approach from Conservative policies of the Thatcher era. "Unlike the Conservatives in the 1980s, who left all communities to sink or swim and told those who lost their jobs to get on your bike, we will not leave individuals and communities to cope on their own," she declared.
Ms Kendall emphasised that while her party is "pro-progress" in embracing technological advancement, it remains equally committed to progressive values during this transition. "We are not going to tell people to get on their E-bikes. Far from it," she remarked, updating the famous political phrase for the digital age.
The Government's Support Framework
The Technology Secretary outlined a multi-pronged strategy to manage the AI employment transition:
- Establishing a Future of Work unit within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology
- Collaborating with both the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress
- Providing every adult in the UK with access to free practical AI skills courses
- Analysing AI's labour market impact to deliver targeted support
"Our aim is to ensure AI boosts jobs and growth, to support workers to adapt, protect communities from the mistakes of past industrial change, and develop a fair and dignified future," Ms Kendall explained, framing the government's objectives.
Mixed Evidence on Job Losses
When pressed on specifics regarding which positions might disappear and in what numbers, the minister acknowledged the complexity of predictions. "We know people are worried about graduate entry jobs in places like law and finance but we're also seeing new jobs being created," she told journalists following her address.
Ms Kendall noted that most organisational forecasts actually anticipate more jobs being created than eliminated through AI adoption. However, she cautioned against complacency: "I think history teaches us that you need to actually help people through that and have a proper plan of action."
Broader Ambitions and Context
Beyond domestic workforce concerns, the Technology Secretary revealed ambitions to position Britain as the leading AI adopter among G7 nations. This declaration aligns with broader government technology initiatives, including recent announcements about reducing waiting times for essential phone services.
The speech represents one of the most comprehensive statements yet from the Labour government on navigating the intersection of technological progress and employment security, balancing economic ambition with social responsibility in an era of rapid digital transformation.
