AI Superintelligence

Lord Markham Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, my noble friend is absolutely right, and this Government will not be a bystander as people worry about what AI means for their jobs and their children’s prospects. AI will create new jobs but it will also change work and, regrettably, will replace some jobs. Change is inevitable. The consequences are not. We will support people throughout this transition by investing in skills and growth, including by establishing the new AI and the Future of Work Unit within DSIT, working with DWP and DBT, to co-ordinate action across government—although I note that however advanced these machines become, they are not yet standing at this Dispatch Box.

[Lord Markham (Con)]

Not yet anyway. Just this week we saw Elon Musk forecast an AI world of abundance, where robots outnumber people and people work only a few hours a week—I am wondering where I sign up for that. Who knows whether he is right or wrong but undoubtedly there will be winners and losers. We all agree that we want the UK to be one of the leaders rather than followers. What that says to me is that we really need our best minds putting together our own Elon Musk-type forecast so that we can shape it and respond accordingly. Are we doing this and, if so, when will we see it?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

The noble Lord is aware that the Government are spending £2 billion on supporting all AI-related projects. We are investing £500 million in our Sovereign AI Unit, supporting UK businesses to compete internationally. The noble Lord is absolutely right: the world is changing and we have to be at the forefront by making sure that our people have the skills. More importantly, if we want AI to work for Britain, we need Britons who can work with AI.