Starmer promises to ‘turbocharge’ region as part of major Artificial Intelligence annoucement
Starmer promises to ‘turbocharge’ region as part of major Artificial Intelligence annoucement
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to ‘relight the fires of innovation’ across the Liverpool City Region as he confirms 1,000 new jobs for our area as part of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution.
Sir Keir has confirmed exclusively to the ECHO that US-based IT multinational Kyndryl – the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider – will be establishing a new technology hub in the Liverpool City Region that will create one thousand jobs here over the next three years.
Sir Keir told the ECHO: “Liverpool voted for change in July. And my Labour government has been working tirelessly to deliver on that change. We’re starting to reap the rewards of that hard work.
“Last November I visited Runcorn to announce 2,000 jobs in the region – thanks to our £22 billion investment in Carbon Capture. Today I can announce that yet more jobs are coming as Kyndryl has committed to an extra 1,000 Al related jobs over the next three years.
He added: “These are jobs of the future that will relight the fires of innovation across the Liverpool City Region. It means working people – from the Wirral to St Helens – will feel the change we promised.
“I promised the ECHO that I would turbocharge this great region, and here is the proof. Working hand in hand with Mayor Steve Rotheram, today’s announcement shows how Labour in power is delivering for working people.”
The government said the new tech hub in the Liverpool City Region “will share the government’s ambition to roll AI out across the country to help grow the economy and foster the next generation of talent.”
The Kyndryl news comes as part of a wider government announcement, which states that AI will be ‘unleashed’ across the UK in a bid to ‘help turbocharge growth and boost living standards.’
Unveiling details of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan today, the Prime Minister says AI can ‘transform the lives of working people.’ Sir Keir said the new technology ‘has the potential to speed up planning consultations to get Britain building, can help drive down admin for teachers so they can get on with teaching children, and feed AI through cameras to spot potholes and help improve roads.’
The Prime Minister said his government is throwing the ‘full weight of Whitehall’ behind this industry by agreeing to take forward all 50 recommendations set out by Matt Clifford in his ‘game-changing’ AI Opportunities Action Plan.
The Prime Minister said: “Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people.
“But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race.
“Our plan will make Britain the world leader. It will give the industry the foundation it needs and will turbocharge the Plan for Change. That means more jobs and investment in the UK, more money in people’s pockets, and transformed public services. That’s the change this government is delivering.”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP said: “AI is a powerful tool that will help grow our economy, make our public services more efficient and open up new opportunities to help improve living standards.
“This action plan is the government’s modern industrial strategy in action. Attracting AI businesses to the UK, binging in new investment, creating new jobs and turbocharging our Plan for Change. This means better living standards in every part of the United Kingdom and working people have more money in their pocket.”