Minister claims AI can be ‘net creator’ of jobs despite report warning eight million posts could go

His comments come after a report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggested that as many as eight million jobs in the UK could be lost to AI in a “worst case scenario”.

Analysis from IPPR called on the Government to ensure that a fair industrial strategy was in place, adding that the UK was at a “sliding door” moment regarding the implementation of AI.

The report identified two stages of AI adoption from businesses, the first of which it claims is already under way.

IPPR said that the second wave of adoption - in which businesses will more deeply integrate AI into their processes - could lead to around 7.9 million job losses and no gains in GDP.

The report also identified those on low wages as most at risk, with entry level and part time jobs most likely to be affected. These jobs include administrative and customer service roles, which women and young people are statistically more likely to hold.

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The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology has described the research as “hugely speculative”, claiming that numerous reports also predict AI will spark creation in jobs.

Bhatti said that AI safety in particular could be a key driver of jobs.

He said: “We are working to make sure businesses have a say in how we get AI out there into society and how it's adopted.

“AI safety is an enabler of growth, not an inhibitor. People need to have trust in the technology and there needs to be transparency. Safety is core to that.

“But we’re also making sure that when we come to AI deployment, it's done in a way which progresses society. We think AI will be a net creator of jobs.”

Bhatti added that the Government had also funded digital skills bootcamps, which are 16 week courses with a guaranteed job interview on completion.

A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology added: “AI already contributes more than £3.7 billion to our economy every year and we have already invested £290 million since 2018 in skills and talent initiatives for the jobs of the future.

“We continue to assess the impact of AI on different sectors and ensure employers play a leading role in building robust UK skills and talent.

"We are also working with Innovate UK and the Alan Turing Institute to develop guidance on the core AI skills people need, which will be published later this year.”

IPPR’s report also claims that AI could lead to substantial economic benefits if industry and the Government are proactive in protecting workers, with a potential 13 per cent boost to GDP, equating to around £306bn per year.